Hagen Doa claim c’ship

By ELIAS LARI
BULLDOG Hardware Supplies Hagen Doa edged Goroka One 16-14 to claim the men’s title at the Highlands Confederation Championships in Goroka on Sunday. Hela, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands and Eastern Highlands competed at the two-day tournament.
Goroka Two finished third and Ialibu fourth.
Doa’s Kingsley George was named best attacking player and his teammate Mathew Jessy received the top-tryscorer award.
According to the Doa management, five of their players and two technical officers had been selected for the national championships in Lae next month.
Doa team manager Nott Basinu said the aim of the tournament was to select players for the national championships.
“The tournament was perfect and I want to commend for winning the title,” Basinu said.
“Doa will look to improve on the win at next year’s championships as we look to retain the title.”
Basinu also thanked the management of the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles for providing their uniforms and training gear.
He said their win wouldn’t have been possible without their sponsors’ support.
Basinu said with the title going to Eastern Highlands, they would continue to improve the standard of rugby league in the province.
“I still have confidence that Hagen will continue to produce more players and I hope that they will push for spots in the Eagles squad for the Digicel Cup,” he said.
Teams will be selected in the Under-20, men’s and women’s division to represent the confederation at the national championships in the Morobe capital from Sept 4-7.