Harlequins maintain peak form

 By LARRY ANDREW

REIGNING Morobe rugby union champions NGI Hornibrooks Harlequins club beat arch rivals Consort Royals 13-12 in a close game on Saturday at the SCRUM oval in Lae.

In the other premier games, Bismark Maritime Pirate found their form to run rings around Dulux Viking Dogs 39-12 while Defence forfeited Riback Unitech Reds.

Competition leaders Harlequins were first to put the points on the scoreboard when they won the lineout throw 5m near Royals tryline which saw Elias Roboam score the first try with an unsuccessful conversion from Netty Kave.

Ten minutes later referee Armstrong Dickson caught Royals players for ruck infringements near their uprights and awarded a penalty to the Harlies. Benito Palasi converted for an 8-0 lead which they safeguarded to the half time break.

Royals, never to be out done, regrouped and bombarded the Harlies defensive line which resulted in a try  scored by Kipi Isaac. Conversion from Nathan Malbag went wide for them to trail 5-7.

Moments later inside Royals half a dropped ball by Harlies players saw Laho Posu picking up the loose ball and sprint a good 80m to score with conversion successful to take over the lead 12-8. Harlies Bill Ben scored with 13 minutes left on the clock. Harlies won by one point with an unsuccessful conversion.