Ipatas Cup heads into final round

 By MELTON PAIS

THE Aliyah Saints are fired up to pin down Mala Rangers in the final fixture of the Southern leg challenge of Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup at Murray Barracks this weekend.

The Saints captained by Tonny Mokono received a major boost from their sponsor Eda Ranu last Friday where the team was presented a new set of jerseys worth K9000 as well K3000 cash and K1000 registration fee for Ipatas Cup competition.

The Saints are a feeder club for Dobo Warriors team in Port Moresby rugby league competition. The team is so far leading Pool B in the Ipatas Cup Southern leg with three points, followed by Bang 36 (2), Badili Warokos (2) and Mala Rangers (1).

The Eda Ranu-sponsored team who had one win and one draw in the last two games last weekend is expected to appear tough against the Rangers this Saturday to qualify for the top eight.

 Warokos and Bang 36 will compete to see the strongest team to make it into the top eight as both have two points each.

The Pool A fixtures will see the men for Hohola, Freeway Bumpers who are leading the pool, going up against the Northern Warriors while Five-Mile Watchdog will take on the Dep Tigers.

Bomana United who had two consecutive wins in the last two games will test their strenghth against Habour City Tornados and Six-Mile Storms will challenge the Brotherhoods in the Pool C clash.

Pool D will see leaders Hohola Flies taking on the SSG Roosters who are coached by the tournament’s only female coach, Cathy Neap.

The second match will see Vanuatu Dust taking on 2CT Roosters followed by Saraga Survivors taking on Four Mile Cats.

CCIC Southern leg chairman Simon Maima said the best two teams in each pool will be selected for the final playoffs on Sunday.

The game one and two of the final fixture on Sunday will see the team leading in Pool A challenging the second team in Pool B followed by the leading team of Pool C taking on the second in Pool D.

“The top two teams who will get the golden passes,” Maima said.