Muruks duo help Storm retain SHP Nines title

MENDI Muruks pair Leon Undipia and Nenga Nandape helped KMW Storm retain the Southern Highlands Nines title after they beat Ome Knights in the rugby league final at Momei Oval on Sunday.
Coach Ricky Kapipi told The National yesterday that his side were consistent throughout the four-day tournament in Mendi.
He said they finished at the top of their pool after winning two games and losing one before triumphing in all their matches from then on.
“Undipia and Nandape were a big boost for us going into the tournament,” Kapipi said.
“We knew that it was always going to be a challenge to retain the title.
“But we believed in ourselves.
“Teams from within the province and outside centres were very competitive, they gave us a strong challenge but we dug deep to come out victors.
“I am proud of winger Bruise Bernard who scored seven tries in the tournament and was named the top try scorer.
“His wing partner Solomon Nandape was also outstanding.
“Solomon is a former Lae Tiger and Muruk.
“I’m hopeful that the pair will get a call-up from a Digicel Cup team.
“Otherwise, it was an excellent team effort.”
The Storm bowed out in the semifinals in the inaugural tournament in 2018 before winning the title in the following year.
Meanwhile, bowl winners Kui Brothers, from Western Highlands, were led by Mendi Muruks forward Obert Koim while the plate winners were led by Kondea Niki.