Rovanama bag 9s title

By JACK AMI
AROMA Coast Rovanama beat Mahuru Eagles 28-18 in the cup final of the Moresby South Rugby League Nines yesterday.
Abau (Central) side bagged the Justin Tkatchenko Cup and K20,000 in prize money which was presented by the local MP and Sports Minister himself in front of a good crowd.
Eagles settled for the runners-up trophy and K10,000 for their effort.
Tkatchenko had earlier allocated K50,000 for the tournament.
Rovanama fullback Jack Vigo was named the most valuable player of the tournament.
Tkatchenko, who commended the teams that played throughout the three-day nines tournament, said  Rovanama were deserved winners even though he was hoping the Eagles, who are from his electorate would come up trumps.
The Aroma Coast went through the competition unbeaten thanks to the quality of their side with the core of whom have competed at nines challenges around the city and region for several years.
Rovanama coach Chris Enara attributed the win to consistency and team work.
The Eagles with the inclusion of Port Moresby Vipers player bound Shane Haro but were out-done by the better organized side.
In the plate final Funeral Homes Laumas’ centre Apia Muri potted the decisive field goal in golden point extra time to beat Kone Sharks 5-4.
Tkatchenko said nines football was a great way of promoting and developing rugby league in communities and he was happy to help.
He pledged to continue supporting the format in his electorate as well as other parts of the National Capital District.