Eagles represent NIP at Ipatas Cup

By FRANKIY KAPIN
THE Kavieng rugby league will be sending a team to participate in the NGI leg of Ipatas Cup in Kimbe, West New Britain next month.
Kavieng rugby league president Mathew Kataka Jr said reigning premiers Northern Eagles would represent New Ireland in the first leg of the challenge in the New Guinea Islands region.
He said the eventual winners would compete against other regional champions in Lae for the K200,000 prize money.
Kataka said the NGI champions would walk away with K10,000 and free tickets and accommodation to Lae for the second leg of the of the Ipatas cup challenge.
Trainer Mack Lentrut said after six weeks of discipline, commitment and effort by the players, they were expected to put on an exceptional show in Kimbe next month.
Lentrut said the players were fit and should make their presence felt against other teams in the region.
Northern Eagles played the first of their two trial matches against a Lihir side last weekend under the guidance of coach Michael Mou.
Meanwhile, Kavieng Marlins are set for their second appearance in the NGI Trukai 9s rugby league tournament to be held in Kokopo on March 16-18.
The NGI Trukai 9s is one the tournaments the Agmark Rabaul Gurias will be using to select their side for the Digicel Cup challenge this season.
Marlins, the Kavieng select side boast representative players Lance Kuveu and Junior Pangogo who part of the Gurias last year.
Pangogo went on to don the PNG Kumuls jersey in last year’s series against the Fiji Bati but could not be more proud after claiming the man-of-the-match award in the last game.
Marlins coach Ezekiel Paska said he expected a good individual and team performance from the side.
He is laying his trust and confidence in the players who have put a lot of commitment to training in the past six weeks.
Marlins will also be promoting their raw talents from New Ireland.
After making it to the semi-finals in last year’s tournament, Paska is hoping the Marlins will go a step higher this season.
Paska acknowledged the support of Island Building Supplies to ensure the side participated in the tournament.
The Marlins and the Northern Eagles have been in training under the watchful eyes of Lentrut.