Gairona Breakers win Aroma nines title
The National, Thursday January 2nd, 2014
By PETER SERAVA
GAVUONE team Gairona Breakers are the cup winners of the East Aroma Nines tournament.
They also pocketed the K2000 cash prize after fending off a strong challenge from fellow villagers Kaimarshalls in the final.
Kaimarshalls settled for the runners-up prize of K1000 but were given some reasons to celebrate when Ura Vali won the top gong as the player of the tournament. He received a K100 cash prize.
The event kicked off last week at the Kopeupa Oval, Kelekapana village on Boxing Day but didn’t continue over the weekend due to the Sabbath days of the different churches there.
Kaimarshalls, comprising players from Gavuone, Lalaura and Kelekapana (KK) gave the seasoned national competitors a run for their money but eventually experience had the last say with the Breakers winning 16-10.
Tournament organiser Barry Varage Gamini, phoning the results in from Kelekapana said the tournament was sponsored by Member for Abau Open Sir Puka Temu with an amount of K15,000.
In the plate finals, Wasa Wanbel beat Kopeupa Nauna Team Two, 16-8 and picked up a cash prize of K1500 while Kopeupa Nauna Team Two got K800.
Baike beat Koboki for the Bowl and got the K1000 prize money while Koboki received a consolation of K700.
Waira Plus defeated All Blacks 10-8 for the Pennant award and K600 prize money while All Blacks received K400.
The top try scorer was Madi Ora from Wasa Wanbel who received K50 for his efforts.
The tournament attracted 13 teams from the surrounding areas along aroma coast.
Baike, Team KK, Koboki, Vuru Keakalo, Kaimarsahlls, Koaite Golo Brothers, Wasa wanbel, Gairona Breakers, Kopeupa Nauna Team One, Kopeaupa Nauna Two, Blacks, Veaima United, and Vira Plus.
Gamini said the tournament is aimed at developing the young generation of rugby league players in the East Aroma coast and prepare them for representative duties.
After the finals, the losing teams were given a consolation prize of K250 each. The tournament was hailed as a success due to a well behaved crowd.