Northern Reds retain Super 5 title

THE Northern Reds are the 2010 Coca-Cola Super 5 champions after retaining the title they won last year with a convincing 37-10 bonus point win over the Niugini Islanders at SCRUM Oval in Lae on Saturday.
In what was the final day of matches in the regional rugby format, the Reds swept aside the  Islanders five tries to two on a wet track.
First half tries to No.8 Mikes Miria, halfback Lance Kuvei and hooker Michael Mruriki along with fullback Raymond Tau’s conversion and penalty ensured the Reds held the upper hand 20-10 at the break despite conceding the first try to Islanders’ winger Jason Misiel in the second minute and a second by inside centre Daniel Ponda in the 25th minute.
A Tau penalty early in the second stanza increased the gap to 13 and when reserve forward Tai Fiti’ao crashed over in the 60th minute for his side’s fourth of the afternoon the Super 5 title was all but in the bag at 30-10.
Fly-half Jackson Pato added another converted try on fulltime to blow out the score to 37-10.
In the earlier match, Southern Traders ended their campaign in similar fashion to the Reds beating the Development squad 30-10 but with half the points coming off the boot of fly-half Jonah Kautu Jr.
The final standing s for the Super 5 are: Reds (17), Traders (14), Highlanders (6), Development squad (6) and Islanders (4).
Tournament awards for top point scorer went to Kautu Jr (36) and top try scorer to Traders teammates George Oki and Karo Kauna Jr who both crossed four times.
The rookie award was won by the Development squad’s Tony Ponda while the player of the tournament was awarded to Reds openside flanker Jacob Niggins.