Butterflies remain unbeaten at MRDC Nines as playoffs approach

By JACK AMI
THE MRDC Port Moresby Rugby League Nines tournament featured only six affiliated clubs taking part, with the completion of pool matches at the National Football Stadium last weekend.
In pool A, Northern Motel Butterflies were unbeaten with three straight wins and followed by Paga Panthers losing one match to the Butterflies.
Hekari Tarangau lost all their games.
Royals topped pool B followed by Eda Ranu Dobo Warriors. Hohola Flies missed out with a win.
On Saturday, in the quarterfinals, Butterflies will face off with Dobo Warriors while Royals are up against Paga Panthers.
The winners will advance to the cup finals, with the losers battling it out in the third-place playoff.
Meanwhile, Port Moresby Rugby League chairman Dr James Naipao says he is disappointed about women’s team not participating in the MRDC Nines.
He said all the 14 clubs should be registered with A grade, women’s and Under-20 teams as per the advice from PNG Rugby Football League.
Naipao said Kroton Souths’ women’s team did not complete last season, so the club were handed penalties and the same applied to other clubs who forfeited their matches.
He said all the 14 clubs should start round one with women’s teams or face the consequences of been axed from the competition.