Champions Northern Pride return Ipatas Cup

By PETER WARI
REIGNING Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup champions Northern Pride returned the winners’ trophy to organisers of the competition at the Kimil Rugby League Oval in Jiwaka last Friday.
The trophy’s return indicated the start of a new season in the country’s biggest offseason competition.
Pride sponsor Michael Tee Pau returned the trophy.
He told his team that he had confidence in youths in the province and did his best to construct the oval.
Pau said about seven Pride players were now playing in the inter-city competition, the Digicel Cup.
Official Dominic Bishop Ken said because of Pau’s work to unite youths and support sporting activities had seen no problems reported at the oval.
“We want peace, we want spectators to enjoy, the management is thankful to the organising committee led by Pau,” he said. Ken said centre Joe Frank, front-rower Gene Markam and fullback Francis Sam helped Pride beat Kondo East 20-12 in the third game.
He said some Pride’s inter-city were Joe Francis, Francis Sam, Saki Peter, Job Karl (Waghi Tumbe), Gene Markham and Elizah Roltinga (Rabaul Gurias).
Ken said some upcoming players were David Karap, Mek Karap and Jonah Ray.