Morata Blues celebrate double victory

By KEVIN TEME
IT was double celebration for Morata Blues when they claimed the Rex Paki Cup, and  the K1,500 prize money.
They were also presented with a huge pig worth K1,200 after they beat Morata Maroons 10-1 in the final of the Morata origin series on Sunday.
The game, which was  played under a heavy rain did not deter the fans, supporters and families, who turned up in numbers to support their teams.
Both sides were out to prove the greatest side in the suburb.
The match started on an even footing that kept  onlookers on their toes .
Maroons seemed to have the upper hand in the early stages of the battle  barging their way into the opponents territory to create opportunities but to no avail.
Blues, led by man-of-the-match and skipper Warren Metofa, did not give in and led his side with solid defence that denied a couple of chances by the Maroons to  score points.
However, it was Maroons’ diminutive hooker and best backs of the series, Jasco John, who potted a field goal 10m in front to lead 1-0 before going into the break.
Both sides went into the second half and kept the momentum with solid defence until Metofa pounded from a clever dummy half play, picked up the ball to dive 5m wide from the upright to score the first try of the game.
The referee took some time before awarding the try to the Blues.
With five-eighth Ron Wek finding the uprights  the Blues led 6-1.
Maroons tried their best to level through their forwards Jetro Kii, James Mondo, Kapi James, Mosen Tonge and John but the Blues withstood the pressure, not allowing their opponents any passage into their territory.
Blues’ defence was led by Noel Joel, Metofa, James Talaso, Ruben Kepe, Colin Alois and Mathais Loti.
With the slippery conditions, Blues kept the ball on Maroons’ territory, resulting in Metofa’s second try that sent the Blues fans celebrating.
The Blues wrapped up the match with a 10-1 victory over the Maroons.