Kaupa Cup competition into top-eight playoffs

THE John Kaupa Cup rugby league competition heads into its top-eight playoffs this weekend despite not completing its final round of matches.
North East sports desk chairman Ben Marme said last weekend’s fixtures for the Bomana and Gordon competitions had to be called off because of wet weather.
“We cancelled our rugby league and women’s volleyball games over the weekend in our competitions at Bomana and Unagi oval because of the rain,” Marme said.
“We have decided to go straight into the top eight finals because a lot of our players in the Kaupa Cup are students and school has already started so we want to finish the competition as soon as we can.
“We couldn’t tell the teams over the weekend so we’re letting them know through their competition presidents and through the media.”
Marme said the finals would be completed over two weekends with the top eight teams from pool A and B battling it out for the top prize.
He said the top eight sides would be confirmed and included in the draw for the weekend.
The matches will be played on Saturday and Sunday with organisers looking to secure a venue in the city to run their finals.
“Games will be on Saturday and Sunday because of the number of teams involved,” Marme said.
“We’re hoping to get a venue at the Sir John Guise Stadium complex or at the Murray Barracks field with the help of our local member John Kaupa.
“Having the finals at any of these venues would be good instead of at the regular venues (Bomana and Unagi) because of the problems we have with the crowds.
“There are 16 teams in A grade who will play this weekend — the top eight in each pool.”