Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup finals kick off in Lae

THE Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup finals kick off at the Lae Rugby League Ground tomorrow with top-four teams Buimo Snipers, 1134 Spartans, Hela 2 and Gumine Pythons vying for K50,000 in prize money.
The fixtures will see Gumine Phythons, from Chimbu, take on Lae’s Buimo Snipers while Hela Two face 1134 Spartans.
According to competition manager Sam Koi, the two winners will play in the grand final on Sunday and the losing teams will play for third spot.
The offseason competition has seen 174 participate in two conferences known as the eastern and western ends.
Buimo Snipers and 1134 Spartans are the winners of the eastern end while Gumine Pythons and Hela Two are the victors of the western end.
Koi said the competition had seen significant progress this year with more teams and good coordination from organisers.
He said the finals would be entertaining and urged supporters to get behind their teams at the Lae Rugby League Ground.
“The competition has seen more competitive teams and the finals will see tough top-four clashes,” Koi said.
“Hela Two are the underdogs this season but they have beaten the more established side on their way to the finals. It gives us a lot of satisfaction seeing such teams making it through to the finals.”
Meanwhile, Cup patron and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas said he was pleased to see growth in the competition.