Grand final showdown for 9s

By JACK AMI
SEMI-finalists in the Southern nines league tournament are all eyeing the K8,000 first cash prize and the Cup today.
Maopakala Brothers and Maopa Paio are the hot favourites to secure the grand-final play-off spots.
Their opponents are under dogs Gavuone Lako Blues and Taurama.
Last year’s champions Gaivakala were knocked out in the semi-final and a new champ will be decided this afternoon.
MK Brothers are up against the lowly rated Taurama outfit while Paio lock horns with Gavuone Lako Blues.
In the quarter-finals yesterday, MK Brothers denied Keakalo 12-4, Maopa Paio stopped Kai Marshall 20-10, Gavuone Lako Blues tamed Gavuone Stones 12-4 and Taurama beat Gavuone Bullets 12- 4.
Brothers with Kumul five-eighth Jessie Joe Parker, Isapeas’ Jarrod Haoda, Makara Hura, George Kose, Oala Frank and Heni Herea will have tons of loads for the inexperienced youngsters from Taurama.
The match should be a preparation for Brothers for the final showdown against the winners of Maopa Paio and Lako Blues.
Coach Chris Enara is confident his charges will secure the grand final spot at all costs.
It will be tough for Maopa Paio as Lako Blues are in peak form and will not surrender easily after coming this far.
The Paios with Kumuls Joshua and Anthony Abavu will engineer the side against a spirited opposition.
Lako captain Ivan Vagi has played a commanding role and relies on talents such as Israel Wari, Owen Pou, Collin Daniel and Verua Rae to test the opposition’s big guns.  
Match coordinator Tora Ivora said the breakfast showdown is the Pennant, Plate, Bowl and Cup ends the day.
Southern region 9s tournament founder and director Ivan Ravu said the presentation of cash prize and awards would be straight after the Cup grand final.
Ravu said so far the southern community have displayed true sportsmanship on the field and appealed to see it continue.
He commended all the team officials and followers for their discipline as true Papuan’s to enjoy the feast of football since Sunday.