Falcons, Rats kick off Suburban finals

THE Port Moresby Suburban Rugby League finals starts this weekend with competition leaders Kiliton Falcons taking on the forth-placed Marane K-rats at Kone Tigers Oval tomorrow.
The Falcons-Rats fixture is the main game of the day after two Under-20 teams open the finals followed by the first A-grade finals match,” vice chairman James Paul said.
The first game will be between the U20 minor premiers Waliya and Talapia Magpies in a top four playoff. The winner of the Waliya-Magpies game advances to the major semifinal while the loser has another chance against the winner of the lower four playoff.
The second game is another U20 fixture — the lower four playoff.
The loser hangs their boots for the 2018 season while the winner advances to take on the loser of the top four fixture.
“After the two U20 fixtures we will have first A grade elimination final between Helifix Warriors and Toks Nest which will be a do-or-die game and the winner of this match will take on the loser of the Falcons-Rats game,” Paul said.
Paul said two A grade and two U20 would be played on Sunday.
“We have given enough preparation time to the finals teams and I expect this finals will be tougher compared to previous years,” Paul said.
He said the competition management had prepared the field and the recent wet weather had ensured the surface would be softer with grass cover.
“We’ve marked the field and there’s good grass cover as well so we’re expecting some good conditions for the finals.”
“We’ve also put up fencing around the field to seperate the players, referees and touches judges from the crowd,” Paul said.
“We know there will be a good turn out for the first week of the Suburban finals at Kone Tigers Oval but we are also urging fans to respect the game and support their teams without getting violent,” Paul added.