Morata Swans open tourney with victory

By KEVIN TEME
DEFENDING champions, Morata Swans started their campaign on a right footing  winning two of their  matches in the NCD Governor’s  Cup yesterday.
Despite the heavy down pour, Swans went home smiling after grabbing four competition points beating Baaz Nokondi’s One 6-0 on a forfeit.
In the other game, they defeated Bomai Yal 12-0.
With a K26,000 prize money up for grabs in the respective playoffs, the cup, plate and bowl, Swans have sent out an early warning under the watchful eye of head coach Andrew Andiki Johns.
Andiki has been supporting the players and the win had boosted the side’s morale heading into the other games.
While Andiki is no stranger to rugby league having played in the inter-city competition for various franchise clubs, the young Southern Highlander is working tirelessly to maintain the squad he believes will defend the cup.
“Nothing is easy as one thinks having some of the rising talents but we just need to stick to the game plan and work hard in our remaining games to defend our title,” Andiki said.
Swans should expect some stiff challenge from former champions Hohola Dragons but both are pooled in separate pools.
Pool A has Bomana 2, Eight Mile, Kone 1, Bomai Yal, Swans and Baaz Nokondi while in Pool B, Gerehu United, Boroko Pythons, Nine 2, Five Mile Rangers, Southern Blacks and Seven Mile Jets.
Dragon is in pool D with Morata Bullets, Baaz Nokondi 2, Toks Mix Dogs and Erima Bulls. For the first time, students from the Unitech who reside in Port Moresby have also fielded a team and are in pool C.
Other teams in this pool are Kia Warriors, Hens Brothers, Nine Mile (1), Five Mile United and Diwai Brothers.
Meanwhile teams that had two games yesterday will only play one today while for teams that had one yesterday will play two today.
The games are played at the Hohola Lareva Oval and the Kone Tigers oval.