Rebels rule sevens on home turf

 THE all powerful Kimbe Rebels Team I rugby union team are back and they mean business.

The former national champions retained the Pacific MMI-sponsored Kimbe Sevens Cup and collected the K20,000 winners pay-out.

In a dominating performance, the two Kimbe select sides played off in an all West New Britain affair for the cup.

Kimbe Rebels Team I, with a tank full of experience led by skipper and former Pukpuk Gina Ponda, Michael Vitolo, current PNG sevens finishers Albert Levi Jnr and Henry Liliket back from injury, beat Kimbe Team II 22-12.

With Kimbe Team II collecting K5,000 for their efforts, it was a positive outcome for the West New Britain Rugby Football Union. 

The Rebels, looking to re-assert themselves at the top, are aiming to claim all major tournaments with the Brothers 40th years Anniversary Sevens on March 7-8 and the National Provincial Championships on March 15-16 in Port Moresby their next targets.

The Rebels had earlier knocked off Madang Mad Gauns in the cup quarterfinal and then Lae Harlequins in the semi-final. 

The Rebels Team II led by Tisa Kautu, Junior Tikot, Andrew Luanga and a host of unknowns, beat Black Orchids Team I in the cup quarterfinal and Aroma Coast in the semi-final.

Rebels mentor Freddy Matthies thanked the visiting teams for raising the level of competition.