Pythons, Spartans share Vice-Chancellor’s Cup

FOLLOWING an incomplete grand final on Monday, the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has declared University of Technology Spartans and University of PNG (UPNG) Pythons as “dual winners” of the Vice-Chancellor’s Cup due to a technicality on bad lighting during the final.
The PNGRFL judiciary agreed that the grand final was as a “no-match” under the body’s standard competition rule.
“With regards to the decision of the grand final, the PNGRFL has advised on the decision through the standard competition rules,” the sport’s national governing body said.
“With this ruling, the grand final has been declared a no-match and a rematch has been rendered as untenable due to the financials and logistics involved (travel, studies and match officials). The grand-final has thus ultimately been declared a no-match with dual winners.”
The grand final kicked off at 6pm and saw the Pythons lead 4-0 at halftime, however, the match was later called off by officials due to poor lighting at the UPNG’s Waigani campus.
Meanwhile, University of Technology vice-chancellor Dr Ora Renagi has made recommendations for the tournament organisers and PNGRFL to adopt.
“I observed that there was lack of control in organising the grand final to ensure that the game was won fair and square,” he said.
“PNG has a culture of active supporters and it is always paramount that the conditions under which the game is played is without controversy.
“The hosting university must ensure that the oval used is with reasonable green grass growth and a light meter be used.”