Mendi Bulldogs given mercy pass in Ipatas Cup

COCA-Cola Ipatas Cup chief executive officer Timothy Lepa, pictured, has reserved a mercy pass for the Mendi Bulldogs, giving the Southern Highlands challenge three gold passes.
Lepa said the Bulldogs, who are the current defending champions, performed well during the regular rounds and first elimination and qualifying finals but their hopes of defending the cup suffered a major blow when they lost a player in a car accident in Mendi.
“Their enthusiasm faded and they could not take up games so being the CEO of the Ipatas cup, I considered their situation and I have given them special dispensation which is called the CEO’s mercy pass to the Bulldogs,” he said. “Bulldogs are now eligible to enter the Western End finals and build on from there.
“Apart from mercy pass, there were two gold passes that teams in the SHP challenge played for.
“Poroma Nuggets already won the first gold pass and other one will be given to the winner of Olo Butterflies and Warriors who will play their grand final this weekend.” Meanwhile, Lepa said the Western challenge in Kiunga and New Guinea Islands leg in Kimbe starts next weekend (Jan 11-13).
“Apart from the other centres like the National Capital District, the Highlands zone, Morobe and, the potential newcomers Western, NGI and East Sepik challenge showed great contentment in taking part in the annual CCIC competition,” he said.
Lepa said the relationship between the two major sponsors of the tournament — Enga Governor and CCIC patron Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas and the Coca-Cola Amatil — was strong with both parties agreeing to support the semi-professional rugby league competition in the country.