Harlequins register win over Piggies in CRU 2nd round

By ROBINSON LEKA
WEEK two of the Capital Rugby Union (CRU) competition saw the Credit Corporation Harlequins beat the University Piggies 17-10 at Bava Park in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The Harlequins walked away with their second-consecutive win while the Brothers registered their first win of the season with 34-21 victory against Moni-Plus Nova.
Meanwhile, the Valley Hunters collected their first win of the season after they edged the Crusaders 15-7 while the Juggernauts and Wanderers settled for a 5-5 draw.
CRU match coordinator Pepe Gotaha told The National yesterday that since it was the start of the 10-week season, fitness among players remained a concern after a four-month hiatus. “Teams had a minimum of two weeks of full-contact training and you can see that they are still trying to find their footing in the competition,” he said.
“We’ve had a good number of close games in the past two weeks so hopefully that’s an indication of more competitive rugby in the weeks ahead.
“Normally in the regular season where teams get to play two rounds each, the first seven weeks get the teams warmed up for the second seven.
“But unfortunately, we have one round so teams will have to go all out.”
He said it was each club’s responsibility to maintain player fitness to ensure that their 40-man squads were ready.