Kerowagi comp ends ’21 season in new year

By ROBINSON LEKA and ZACHERY PER
THE Kerowagi Coffee Cup competition ended its 2021 season with a nines challenge on Sunday with Dage Tigers and Kimagle Border Roosters claiming the men’s and women’s titles respectively.
Following Coronavirus (Covid-19) disruptions in 2021, the competition administration had restructured the 13-a-side format for the Cup to a week-long nines challenge for its 22 participating clubs.
Tigers halfback Joe Siune scored the match-winning converted try in extra time to help his side beat Downtown Cowboys 18-12 to claim K4,000. He, however, missed all the conversions from three earlier tries that should have ensured an easier victory.
In opening minutes, Cowboys were the more determined side, wasting little time to move the ball around and open the scoring. David Kora’s successful conversion gave Cowboys a 6-0 lead at halftime.
But in the second half, Tigers proved too strong as they scored an unconverted try to begin their fightback.
Cowboys fought hard to score one more converted try to lead 12-4.
However, two more unconverted tries saw Tigers level the scores (12-12) at the end of regulation time.
The stalemate forced both sides into extra time when Siune stepped his way past some ordinary Cowboys defending to score the winner and seal the title.
The runners-up, Cowboys, claimed K3,000 while the third spot in the men’s division went to Kimagle Jets following their 12-4 win over Lime Cats.
Roosters claimed K4,000 following their 4-0 win over Lime Cats while Kondiu Titans and Narku settled for the third spot following a 4-4 draw.
Competition manager Israel Kua told The National yesterday that the administration had paid its affiliated clubs a total of K130,000 following the end of the season.