Moresby South Blacks primed for Southern title

By JACK AMI
PORT Moresby Vipers Academy may be the minor premiers but Moresby South Blacks are considered the team to watch in the Southern Super League National Gaming Control Board Cup.
Moni Plus-sponsored Vipers notched 10 wins, including an 8-6 victory against Blacks in round one, and a Laumas draw.
They finished with 21 points, followed by Blacks (20), Laumas (18), Port Moresby Suburban Ducks (13), Central Dabaris Development (12), Gulf Isou Development (11), Buria Reds (9) and Koiari Nagavas (9).
Vipers and Blacks are favourites for the second-tier rugby league competition’s inaugural title and K60,000 prize.
Blacks can book a date with Vipers in the premiership decider if they negotiate their way against fellow top-six finalists. The finals kick off this month.
Ducks were ruled out of the finals after they were unable to meet the deadline for affiliation fees by round six when the competition went into a month-long recess due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown.
Blacks’ comfortable wins over Laumas, Rigo Raiders, Nagavas, Eda Bulldogs, Motu-Koita Lagatois, Reds, Western Flames, Dabaris and Ducks is a credit to their facilities and intensive training sessions.
They have the advantage of a new stadium and gym compared with the other sides in the 12-team competition.
Blacks have only used 28 players all season to ensure stability in the side.
The leadership of co-captains Joe Omaro, Junior Rocky and Michael Yanis, along with the flair of fullback Junior Hoki, has propelled Blacks into premiership calculations. However, nursing a knee injury, Omaro is expected to be out of action in the finals.
Towering prop Johnny Ephraim is expected to lead the Blacks pack in his absence.