Koboni keep title defence alive with 21-point victory against Cats

THE Sun City Cats bowed out of the Port Moresby Esiloan AFL Premiership race with a 41-62 loss to Koboni at the Colts Oval on Saturday.
Koboni now advance to this weekend’s preliminary final.
The Cats kicked two goals and as many behinds to Koboni’s one goal and three behinds to take a five-point lead at the first break.
Koboni came out firing in the second quarter, nailing five goals and seven behinds while the Cats managed to bag two goals and one behind to surrender the lead.
Koboni went into half-time leading 6.10 (46) to 4.3 (27).
When play resumed in the third quarter, the Cats failed to capitalise on the wind and only managed to score two goals while Koboni were restricted to two behinds.
Despite a poor performance in the third quarter, Koboni still held a 6.12 (48) to 6.3 (39) lead at the start of the final quarter.
Play became rowdy and congested in the final quarter with tempers flaring, particularly between key players Paul Philip and Brendan Beno.
Despite the setback in the final quarter, Koboni regained their confidence to nail two goals and as many behinds to run out victors.
In the reserve grade eliminational final, Bismarck Maritime West Eagles beat Lamana Dockers 14.13 (97) to 3.8 (26) in a one-sided encounter.
The Eagles advance to this weekend’s preliminary final while the Dockers hang their boots for the next season.