Rebels take TH7s title

FREDDIE Matthies’ Kimbe Rebels proved yet again that they are the country’s premier rugby union sevens exponents when they beat Madang Madgauns 26-19 in the cup final of the SCRUM Trans Highway 7s yesterday in Lae.
But the West New Britons were pushed all the way by the Madgauns in a thrilling cup decider in front of a good crowd at the Supporter’s Club Rugby Union Morobe oval at the Lae show grounds. 
The first half performance had fans on the edge of their seats as both teams traded tries in an intense opening 10 minutes.
The Rebels started the defence of their 2011 title on the front foot when Hubert Vitolo broke the line from halfway and scooted 50m to score for a 7-0 lead after two minutes.
Madang, who were also appearing in the TH7s final for the second time, responded in the sixth minute with Patrick Tatut crossing after his captain, Tui Fitiao, put him through a gap.
With the score at 7-7, Timothy Pola blazed down the left flank to take back the lead 14-7, in the eighth minute.
The Madgauns showed their class by hitting back almost immediately with Toby Toally running in from a scrum 20m out with a minute to go in the half.
Despite the missed conversion Madang went to the break with their tails up trailing 14-12.
In the second 10 minutes, Rebels’ talismanic leader Matthies put his mark on proceedings scoring a converted try and rallying his troops after two of them were yellow-carded for dangerous tackles.
Madang took advantage of the disparity in numbers with speedster Anthansius Igag, who was awarded the player of the tournament, scoring his side’s third in the 15th minute to get within striking distance at 21-19.
Rebels’ championship qualities came to the fore as PNG representative Henry Liliket scored an uncoverted try in the 17th minute for his side to hold on until fulltime.
In other finals results, Black Orchids beat Lae Royals 22-10 for the plate; Pirates edged Lae Schoolboys 14-5 for the bowl; Madang 2nds beat Kimbe O-Tens 29-14 to take the shield and in a newly introduced category, Mt Hagen Royals thumped Igam Sapers 21-7 to win the jug.
The other highlight of the tournament was the performance of the Old Crocs made up of former Pukpuks, mostly in their 40s, who showed the younger generation a thing or two about rugby.
Names such as Warren Teno, Joe Tolip, Edek Gula, Gideon Asimda, Ian Leklek, Livingstone Ninjipa, Aiem Pilakos and Kevin Vitolo, despite their “papa” status, showed they still could still mix it in the sevens arena.
In presenting the winner’s medals and trophies, TH7s major sponsor SCRUM through secretary Anthony Whitfield said the cup final was an engrossing affair of top-of-the shelf rugby and commended both finalists for their efforts.
“We (SCRUM) are more than happy to sponsor the Trans Highway 7s because we’re all about developing rugby and lifting the standard of the sport.
“It was an exciting final and both teams thrilled the crowd with their performances,” Whitfield said.
Tournament director Robin Tarere also acknowledged and thanked support from other sponsors in Lae Biscuit Company, Coca-Cola, Besta IFC, Ling’s Freezer, Super Value Store, Trukai Rice, Consort Shipping, Goodman Fielder International, Zenag, Western Star and Prima Smallgoods.
Meanwhile, the annual SCRUM lunch will be held on April 18 with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill expected to attend the fundraiser in Lae.