Eastern Highlands nines tournament successful

THE Eastern Highlands Covid-19 Rugby League Nines tournament held from Sept 28 to Oct 1 was a success with more than K20,000 in prize money presented to winning teams from the different categories.
According to tournament director Leeroy Kume, the event hosted at the Sir Danny Leah Oval saw men’s cup winners, Goroka Urban-2 receive K5,000 while runners-up Kainantu Ants received K3,000.
Goroka Urbun 1 won the plate and got K3,000 while Gumine Wisomo received K2,000 as plate runners-up.
Kume said the men’s bowl playoffs could not be completed on time due to the top four teams’ travel arrangements which saw them share the K3,000 prize money.
In women’s division, Migipa Cherry won the cup and K3,000 after defeating Goroka Urban 1, who received K2,000.
Goroka Urban 2 women won the plate and K2,000 while plate runners-up Erimbari Sisters from Chimbu received K1,000.
Owan Titans women side where the bowl winners getting K1,000 after beating the Kainantu Ants.
Kume told The National yesterday that the tournament was initiated by Governor Peter Numu with the aim of driving the message of Covid-19 in the province through rugby league. “It was a successful tournament with a lot of excitement,” Kume said.
He said Daulo Team 1 speedster Warike Tombe claimed the men’s player of the tournament award and Martha Carl won the woman’s award for best and fairest. Both players received trophies and K300 each.
“Goroka Lahanis’ winger Sefa Diet from Kainantu Ants took out the highest try scorer for the men’s division and Lydia Luke from Migipa Cherry took out the woman’s try scorer award. Both players received K300 each.
Kume said despite having their difficulties the organisers were able to run the competition whioch culminated in finals.
Governor Numu was unavailable for the presentation but his first secretary Ms Laurel Toidalema officiated on his behalf.
She announced that Governor Numu had committed K500,000 annually to rugby league over four years for the reconstruction and maintenance of Sir Danny Leah Oval. Kume thanked Governor Numu as well as the tourmament’s other sponsors Brian Bell, Goroka Hospital and other businesses and individuals.