Kiunga stun Kerema at zone trials

 By JACK AMI
KIUNGA surprised Kerema 12-0 on day two of the Southern Zone rugby league trials at Kaugere Oval, Port Moresby, yesterday.
Wilfred Waragiwe was the hero of the North Fly men, scoring a double in the first-half, with Paison Esau converting for a 12-0 lead at halftime.
The Westerners managed to hold out Kerema for the entire second-half.
The feat was all the more impressive for Kiunga as they had to contend with a Kerema side bolstered with several Port Moresby West players.
Kerema, led by Andrew Luke, Mark John, Philip Rani and Steven Morehari, ran out of steam as their opponents from up the Fly River delta played with steely resolve to post their first win of the trials.
Standouts for Kiunga were Waragiwe, Esau, Clinton Tube, David Towatir, Michael Thomas and Ken Pasa.
In the other big match, Hiri, with several of their players from the Port Moresby South League, were too strong for Gaire, thrashing them 30-16.
Hiri coach Collin Geno and chairman Micky Kone said they were hoping the win would spur the side on against the heavyweights of the region in Port Moresby and POM Suburban in the playoffs today.
After day two, PRL 1, PRL 2, Rigo, Hiri and Koita Cowboys are unbeaten in their respective pools with three and four points each while others have one each.
The playoffs will be tomorrow, along with the women’s final between PRL and Pom Suburban.
Results: Gamoga 22 Koiari Nagavas 20, Koita Cowboys 28 Tubusereia 12, PRL (2) 34 Pom Subs 10, Tei Kariko 10 Gulf 6, Rigo 22 Kemabolo 4.
Fixtures: Kemabolo v  Gamoga, Tubusereia v Hiri, PRL 1 v PRL 2, Kerema v Tei Kariko, Rigo v Koiari,  Koita Cowboys v Gaire, Kiunga v Gulf, Pom South v Pom Suburban.