Bitags win volleyball title

Bitags are the volleyball kings of Rabaul after beating Sea Blades 3-2 in the men’s grand final of the Rabaul District Volleyball Association competition at the Malaguna Secondary School on Saturday.
Bitags took the courts as underdogs against Kokopo youths – the Sea Blades rampaged through the first and second sets with their powerful spikes and heavy armed blocks for a two sets lead at 25-20 and 25-23.
The mixed Sepik/Bougainville Jayhoana brothers Benjamin, Paneth and Grayson displayed professional ball handling with their hitting and defensive play assisted by Malon Berrey, Biko Kulu and Xavier Nambai to steal the show for an early lead.
The Bitags led by mentor Timmy August and Paul Steven re-grouped in the third set putting up strong blocks and safely picking up the smashing hits by their opponents to easily walk away with the third set 25-17.
With the game forced to a fourth set, both teams proved equally matched in all areas but fast thinking by Wisburn Stanley and Walter Walaun assisted by flashy Roland Vuitil for Bitags forced the Sea Blades into making silly mistakes costing them the set allowing Bitags to snatch the set 25-20 for a tie-breaking fifth set.
The final set saw Bitags wining the first eight points through simple mistakes by Sea Blades for a change of courts which saw them walk over to seal the volleyball grand final with a 15-12 win.
Bitags received the premiership trophy and K800 while Sea Blades settled for K500 and the runner-up trophy.
A jubilant Bitags coach, captain and trainer, Timmy August said he was impressed with his boys who despite being first timers in an organised competition, turned the tables on more experienced players.
“I trained my boys to play basic volleyball and to be alert and I am proud they have proven their worth,” August said.
“I thank the Rabaul District Volleyball Association for hosting this season games under the guidance of Rabaul District Sports coordinator Tony Namur and for allowing us from Gazelle and Kokopo to participate.
“I challenge Rabaul-based volleyball players not to look down on themselves but  to mobilise and participate in the next season.”
Meanwhile, Sea blades Jayhoana brothers Benjamin and Paneth walked off with the best spiker and player of the season awards respectively while the best setter award was presented to Samson Jayson of Bitags and team mate Cosmas Messa was awarded the most improved player of the season.