Popondetta hold game for selection to zone trials

 By JACK AMI

POPONDETTA Rugby League held their trial over the weekend to select the Oro squad for the Southern Region Zone trials in Kwilkila, Rigo, Central from July 29 to Aug 2.

Popondetta One beat Popondetta Two 26-10 no doubt improving their chances of being named in the final 25-man training squad.

Both teams exhibited a good standard of football witnessed by a sizable crowd including First Secretary of the Governor Philip Embahe, Sector Chairman Dickson Daima, new Provincial Police Commander Jacob Singura, PNG Electoral Commission Provincial Manager Peter Malaiope, PNG Rugby Football League Southern Regional Director Gwaibo Mairi and newly-appointed PRL head coach Norris Selu.

In front of a capacity crowd the Amos Maino-coached side led by captain Patrick Berabu got their acts together in the second half to run away with the match.

Centres Jacob Nul and Lucas Suto, halves Sammy Boroba and Farapo Makura complemented forwards Berabu, John Oka and Jason Titipu.

The match was controlled by referee Kila Sibolo who happens to be the Deputy Provincial Administrator.

Team two’s former Lae Bombers Russ Kaupa Junior was a marked man for entire 80-minute battle. 

But fullback George Bungewa, five-eighth Freddy Kuman, forwards Brian Gurisa, Michael Wamp and Toby Kaprang tried hard for their side.

Former Port Moresby Vipers halfback Selu has been given the task of preparing the Oro side for the Southern trials with plans to expnad the Popondetta competition next year and improve the standard of the league to a point where a realistic bid could be made to the PNG National Rugby League for the entry of a homegrown franchise into the semi-professional Digicel Cup. 

President Anko Vamage and his deputy Jeff Mea cautioned all the selected players that failing to turn up for training would result in their omission.

Vamage said training would continue for three weeks before the final 25-man squad will be named.