Lako beat defending champs

By JACK AMI
LAKO are the Southern Nines champions after dethroning Nego Coast Brothers 14-10 in the cup final at Bava Park in Port Moresby on Friday.
After a six-year absence, Lako returned in style to bag the cup and K10,000.
Nego Coast Brothers walked away with K7000 for their efforts.
Lako, from Gavuone village, is the first team from outside the Aroma Coast to have won the cup since the Southern Nines was introduced 15 years ago.
Centre Mega Pali was named the player of the tournament and was selected by Central Dabaris Rugby League selector Gairo Pepena for his efforts.
Former Papua New Guinea Hunters rake Gahuna Silas picked up the man-of-the-match award.
Both players received K300 each.
Pepena said other players were also selected for the Dabaris programme and would be notified to undergo their medical checks.
Lako — with Silas, Pali, Palani Ovo, former PNG Pukpuk Kojoh Ware, Imani Matuka and Ivan Geno — stood their ground against an experienced Brothers outfit, led by Gulf Isou rake Ross Ravu.
Lako’s winning try appeared to involve a knock-on five metres away from the Brothers tryline but the referee allowed play, which caught the reining champions off guard.
With three minutes remaining, Lako defended well to claim a memorable victory. In the plate final, Waiori Waidex Blues beat Miro Koivi 10-8.
The Blues pocketed K5000 and Miro Koivi bagged K4000 for their efforts.
In the bowl final, Erima Laumas beat RIL Roadsiders 26-6.
The Laumas and the Roadsiders bagged K3000 and K2000 respectively.