Gerehu Magpies shock Koboni

A VASTLY-IMPROVED eighth-placed Gerehu Magpies sprung the biggest upset of the Port Moresby Australian Football League, sinking third-placed Concept Koboni by 12 points at the Colts Oval on Sunday.
The Magpies’ 6.4 (40) to 4.4 (28) victory was kick-started in the opening quarter with a six-pointer against south-easterly winds to take an early lead in the round-11 match.
The Demons, known for their blistering speed, were caught by surprise when the Pies blazed the field intent on getting the first use of the ball.
The Demons strayed from their game plan when they opted to focus more on the umpiring calls which they considered controversial.
Consequently, the game was stopped by the games officials midway through the second quarter to sort out the dispute.
When the game resumed, the Magpies maintained their momentum and continued getting the first use of the ball to dominate the Demons’ last line of defence.
The Demons still considered the Magpies’ onward thrust as umpire-aided decisions that led to one of the Demons players striking central umpire Greg Ekari.
An exchange of punches ensued between Ekari and the instigator before the umpire walked off the field.
The game was abruptly stopped for the second time towards the end of the third quarter and by then the Magpies were up by five goals to the Demons’ two.
The game resumed in the final quarter with John James Lavai, of University Tigers, replacing Ekari as alternate central umpire.
The game continued with the Magpies snapping their sixth goal to win the match.
In the main match on Sunday, TSI-Lamana Dockers, boosted by their new uniforms, edged a strong Cats outfit 5.6 (36) to 4.0 (24.
The Cats had every chance of upsetting the Dockers but their unnecessary side-stepping and cheap turnovers cost them the game.
In the opening women’s match on Sunday, ladder leaders Concept Koboni beat Bismark Maritime West Eagles 2.3 (15) to 1.1 (7).