Paga reign

PAGA Panthers became the first Port Moresby side to bag an Ipatas Cup title when they beat Simbu’s Gumini Wisomo 14-12 at the Lae Rugby League Oval on Sunday.
The Coca-Cola-sponsored event ended with a typically bruising decider in front of a boisterous crowd in the Morobe capital, which hosted a final for the first time in 14 years.
Panthers team manager Desmond Wapen said he was proud of his side, who ended a hoodoo for national capital sides, and aside from the K50,000 winners’ cheque, the victory would be a great morale booster for the club during the Port Moresby Rugby League season.
He described the victory as the milestone for the club itself and the PRL.
“We have battled hard over the last five seasons to win this title,” an ecstatic Wapen said.
“We entered the CCIC comp in 2012 and we made it to a final and several playoffs but always lost; winning the Ipatas Cup in 2017 makes up for all that effort.”
The Enga Mioks also drafted four Panthers players into their squad for the new Digicel Cup season, adding the icing on the cake for the club sponsored by former Kumul Richard Wagambie.
Wapen said the club had expanded significant time and resources in taking part over the years and this season was no different.
“We played some really tough games in Goroka during the Eastern End finals and doing well in a competition like the Ipatas Cup means we can do well anywhere.”
Wapen said his side had to endure a hostile crowd in the Eastern Highlands crowd, but led ably by former Hunters halfback Roger Laka, the men in blue where able to come through unscathed.
“Some of our players were attacked in Goroka. Our hooker Jeffery Para needed medical treatment but we stayed strong and got through that test,” Wapen said.
Wapen also commended Laka for his leadership throughout their campaign.
He also singled out Brendan Bigman, who was awarded the player-of-the-tournament, for his effort.