Panthers dent Royals women’s perfect run

PAGA Panthers disappointed reigning champions Royals 26-0 in a one-sided affair in the Port Moresby Rugby League women’s competition at the National Football Stadium on Saturday.
With this hefty win, Paga now remains unbeaten competition leaders with four straight wins so far.
It was a frustrating game for the Royals who have just come off a forfeit loss.
Going down by 26-0 was something they had not experienced as premiership favourites.
This is also the first time for Royals to be handed a hiding by rivals Panthers to dent their record this season.
It was the Panthers brilliance that frustrated the opposition, who were in trouble throughout the 50-minute challenge.
Former Palai Yarowena Morofa and PNG touch captain Vavine Yore teamed up well with skipper Cathy Neap, Daisy John, Vanessa Palme, Catherine Anjo, Jacklyn Sele and Waikili John.
It was also solid defence that hurt the opposition who were out-muscled in their attacking which resulted in silly handling errors that cost them the game.
Royals’ firepower in PNG Palai’s Freda Waula and her siblings Veronica and Scholastica did little to the Panthers’ onslaught.
The Panthers went to the break 10-0 and returned with another 16 unanswered points in the second-half to walk away easily with the two competition points.
Royals coach Sammy Rice Jackson was left speechless after the thrashing.
“Our performance was lacking,” Jackson said.
In the other matches, Souths def West 34-0, Tarangau def Butterflies 20-0; Dobo Warriors def West 30-0; Kone Storm def Defence 6-4.