Royals lose points, Panthers go top after review

 By JACK AMI
REIGNING Port Moresby Rugby League women’s champions Royals face a fine for their round three match forfeiture to Tarangau at the National Football Stadium on Saturday.
It was discovered that only some players attended, while others were committed to the Capital Rugby Union semi-final on the same day at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
The PRL board and competition organisers advised the Royals executives of the fine as per the league’s competition rules.
The forfeiture also dented their clean record after round three, which now see new rivals Paga Panthers leading the stage.
Paga were too strong for Defence with a 16-4 win at NFS to continue their winning spree.
Waikele John, Naomi Kewa and Catherine Anjo scored a try each, while Vanessa Palme successfully converted two out of three.
Palme was also voted the player-of-the-match for her hitups and defence.
Prop Serah Talita, Heni James, Jeanne Luke and Janet Michael led raids up front which allowed backs Cathy Neap, Daisy John, Jacklyn Sele and Majorie Manda to run the line breaks. But 19-year-old high school student Talita played like a big forward for her age.
Defence’s consolation four-pointer was scored by prop Rose Tom.
Most of the players are newcomers but played their hearts out against a premiership contender. In the other match, Sisters shut out Butterflies with an 18-0 score-line.