Rebels out to rekindle top form in Buka

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

FORMER national sevens champions the Kimbe Rebels have their eyes on the Black Orchid Sevens Cup. 

There is also the K20,000 winners’ prize on offer at the Hutjena High School Oval in Buka this weekend.

The two-day tournament hosted by the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Rugby Football Union is from Saturday to Sunday. 

Rebels mentor and West New Britain Rugby Football Union president Freddy Matthies said they were keen find their cup-winning form in Buka.

It has been a while since the West New Britain outfit dominated the sevens scene. In their last outing at the Malangan Barbarians Sevens, the Rebels crashed out in the cup semi-finals.

“We want to get back on top again and despite the team battling injuries to strike players like Henry Liliket and Andrew Lunga, we have Gare Ponda, Albert Levi and Gurias’ Nelson Daplin to push the Kimbe cause for team one,” Matthies said. “Team 2 is progressing well with a good result in Kavieng. They lost to Black Orchids in the cup semi-final and their progress is part of our talent development.”

The WNBRFU now allows players from any union to trial for their Rebels teams.   

Team 1: Gina Ponda, Hubert Vitolo, Michael Vitolo, Oswald Gela,  Timothy Pola, Tasi Mape, Tony Ponda, Gare Ponda, Gilberstin Bewa, Albert Levi Jnr, Nelson Daplin, Hensley Peter, Kevin Vitolo.  Team 2: Charlie Lev, Alois Baleko, Junior Leo Tikot, Ben Gela, Jack Mesili, Bob Wilson, Sabasco Bai, Richard Wongi, John Luana, Kuli, Frederick Paia, Gabby Uba.