Crunch time

REIGNING champions Hohola Flies will be out to defend their Cup title when they clash with Bomana 2 in the grand final of NCD Governor’s Cup rugby league challenge at Hohola Rugby League Oval today.
It was the towering centre-cum winger Pouta Horope who scored in the corner to seal the match for the hosts 14-8 over Morata Ducks.
Bomana had to shrug off a strong fight from Heduru Brothers from Ensisi and Waigani area to book the second Cup semi finals 10-2.
The Hohola and Morata clash was a sneak preview of the grand final; unfortunately, one of them had to bow out of the competition.
The game was tough with players probing their way to score tries. However, it was the magic hands of skipper and five-eighth Roger Laka and halfback Paul Torato who made the difference.
Morata had skipper and halfback David Apeti and hooker Micky Belo to lead the way but lacked support from their forwards.
The Flies scored two quick tries in the opening half to lead 10-4, while in the second half Morata hit back to score at the corner through skipper Apeti to narrow the gap 10-8.
It was anybody’s game until the dying minutes when the baby giant centre barged his way through, carrying a player with him over the tryline to score the winning try for the defending champions.
In the lower divisions, Bomana One will meet 8-Mile Mosquitoes in Bowls finals while in the Plate, Nelson Stone-trained the Combined June Valley/Tokarara will clash with 9-Mile in the Plate final.
NCD Governor’s Cup coordinator Billy Yaki said his committee had deferred the grand final to today because some teams had to protested over the eligibility of their players and other outstanding matters.
He said overall the Christmas Cup went smoothly at Kone Tigers Oval at Waigani and Hohola Oval at Hohola.
The grand final will start at 12 noon.