Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup Hela leg highlights success with Raiders wining gold pass

THE Hela leg of the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup (CCIC) was a success with Streetman Raiders winning the gold pass to advance to the next stage of the country’s biggest offseason rugby league tournament.
Hela tournament coordinator Obert Hondole told The National yesterday that a select side from the province would advance to the next stage — thanks to a “mercy” pass.
“It was the first time to host our own leg and it had caught the attention of many people in the province,” the former Rabaul Guria said.
“Patron and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas did not attend but Hela Governor Philip Undialu was there to officiate alongside CCIC chief executive Sam Koi.
“We also had representatives from ExxonMobil who attended the tournament and they were happy.
“It was a great three days at Komo Rugby League Oval, seeing 12 teams from all the districts coming together through rugby league.
“It’s more than just a tournament and seeing its impact is encouraging for us.
“Congratulations to the Raiders for winning the gold pass.
“We had two pools, they (Raiders) finished at the top of Pool A and played the winners of Pool B for the gold pass.
“For the mercy pass, a selection committee will name a 20-man squad this week.”
Hondole said the two teams would head to Minj, Jiwaka, for the Highlands challenge in the coming weeks.
“We are waiting for the chief executive to tell us when the next stage will take place,” he said.