Dona Minas celebrate new uniforms with victory

REIGNING Koiari Rugby Football League champions Funeral Homes Dona Minas celebrated their new uniforms with a 16-10 win over Storm at the Iarowari Oval, Central, on Sunday.The team dedicated their season-opening victory to Funeral Home for the continued support of the company, which was represented by Clinton Tuali, to the club.West Tigers-contracted player Edene Gebbie played for the premiers last season alongside former Papua New Guinea Kumuls back Josiah Abavu, who are also members of the Funeral Home Laumas nines team.Minas scored three tries and converted two goals. The Storm bagged two tries and a goal.Minas opened the scoring via a converted try by Peter Mai who was the beneficiary of some impressive lead-up work by halfback Wabo Sani.It took a collective effort by the Storm to barge over for an unconverted try and pull themselves back into the contest. Several minutes from halftime, another backline move by Sani saw Obed Bairi increase Minas’ lead to 10-4.After the break, Storm came out firing and sneaked over for a converted try to draw level with Minas.But it was the premiers who had the last laugh as Wari Mafu Jr stepped past the Storm defence to dive over for a converted try near the uprights and seal the win.Meanwhile, Koiari Rugby Football League president Victor Meia warned all clubs to pay their K1,000 affiliation fee by June 30.He said clubs that failed to do so would be axed from the competition. Meia said clubs should also make an effort to pay their player and official registration fee of K50 each.He said registration was important as it would cover insurance.Meia urged players and officials to undergo medical checks before being cleared to participate in the competition.