Lagona helps POMRFL outclass Moresby South Blacks

By JACK AMI
PORT Moresby Rugby Football League (POMRFL) outclassed Moresby South Blacks 20-8 in the Southern Confederation women’s nines final of the Telikom Nines rugby league tournament on Saturday.
Blacks beat POMRFL Two 10-8 in the semifinal to meet POMRFL One in the final at the National Football Stadium.
POMRFL playmaker and former Papua New Guinea Palais flyer Joanne Lagona was a class above the rest, pushing her case for World Cup selection at the end of the year.
Confederation train-on squad members Heiga Api and PNG Orchid Martha Molowia were named as the top try scorer and the top points scorer respectively.
POMRFL’s Lila Malabag was named as the player of the tournament ahead of Lagona.
Blacks coaching director Bagelo Solien said he was excited that seven of his players were selected into the squad for the Telikom National Nines Championships in Port Moresby.
“They are Api, Molowia, Janet Johns, Susan Yol, Lancy Laki, Rema Max and Rita Simon,” he said. Solien hailed Yol, Max and Simon as the next crop of elite players.
He said the players deserved to be in the train-on squad, but they should commit themselves to training to make the final cut.
“It was unfortunate that one of our upcoming players, Jaffinda Sap, missed out on selection,” Solien said.
“We will continue to develop the women’s division in the Moresby South Rugby League competition.
“Experienced Moresby South Rugby League players Johns, Laki, Molowia, Carol Francis and Lisa Bina are crucial to helping upcoming players gain experience and confidence.
“We also introduced talented Gabagaba twins Walo and Vavine Aria, Natalie Paulson, sisters Jessica and Josephine Tom, Rose King, and 16-year-old Osco Moiba.”
Solien thanked Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko for supporting the Blacks women’s, Under-20 and men’s teams.