Kerema claim Isou 9s

By ISAAC LIRI
KEREMA team two claimed the inaugural Gulf Isou 9s tournament beating Lese Kavora team two 4-0 in the grand final on Sunday.
The home side scored in the second half of the cup final in what was seen as a quality fixture which could have gone either way.
Kerema two advanced the cup final after seeing off the Young Tigers 12-6 in the quarterfinals.
They went on to edge Soukoru team two 6-4 in the semifinal.
A Kerema two side competed under the Kerema Rugby League which affiliated to the PNG Rugby Football League and displayed outstanding resilience all through the tournament according to KRL president Emmanuel Morehari.
“The courage of the players got them the result and they deserved the win,” Morehari said.
The cup winners recieved K3000 while the runners-up settled for K1000.
The plate final was won by the Young Tigers, who defeated Lese Kavora team one 10-0.
Tigers received K1500 while Lese Kavora team one got K1000.
In the bowl final, Mailovera beat Sepoe 4-0 and received K1000 while the runners-up got K500.
The tournament was supported by the newly established Gulf Provincial Sports Trust and saw 21 teams taking part.
Trust chairman Imbi Tagune commended the organisers and encouraged the players to strive to play good rugby league.
“There is a lot of potential in the Gulf province in rugby league,” Tagune said.
“You all played hard but one team has to win and I want to congratulate Kerema team two for winning and all other teams for taking part.”
Tournament director Kila Vere, who is also a development officer for PNG Rugby Football League, said the games was utilised for selecting a Kerema side to take on a Port Moresby side in order to pick the final Gulf Isou squad for the 2018 Digicel Cup season.
The tournament was also used to pick an U23 Gulf Isou side to the National Super 9s in Goroka this weekend.