PX Falcons win Corporate 9s pennant grand final

AIR Niugini’s PX Falcons beat Avenell Engineering Services (AES) 28-26 to win the Sports Eventz Corporate Rugby League Nines pennant grand final in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The two teams braved the heat at the Bava Park, Boroko, as they battled it out to see who would take top spot.
AES fielded a much younger team, who were more athletic, faster in skills and ball work, to take a 16-4 lead at halftime.
But that didn’t stop the more experienced PX Falcons outfit from fighting back to claim a two-point victory.
Falcons team manager Kenneth Kodor said: “Playing at 1:30pm was a contributing factor. The heat favoured the younger, lighter team, which meant we had to be patient and make use of whatever chances that came our way.
“I had confidence in the boys and they delivered in the second half. AES also played well this year and when at their best, they can match stronger teams as proven in the final scores.” The competition ran for ten weeks with a total 27 teams. These teams mostly sponsored by corporate companies were grouped into three pools of nine sides each.
“Thank you, Solomon Ravu and the team at Sports Eventz Limited, for the nines initiative,” Kodor said.
“We also thanks sponsors NAEA, NAC, APGL International and Air Niugini for their support. We could not have achieved what we did this year without them.
“Our preparations this year were rushed but we look forward to next year to ensure that we are better equipped in terms of administration, finances and equipment.”
Air Niugini has been part of the competition since its inception in 2007.
In other grand final matches, Westfume beat Price Waterhouse Coopers for the bowl, Spidertech defeated PNG Power Blue (plate) and Funeral Home edged Goodman Fielders International 14-10 for the Cup.