Royals secure POMRFL women’s division preliminary final spot

ROYALS opened week one of Port Moresby Rugby Football League finals with a 22-6 win to end Tarangau’s season in the women’s division on Sunday.
Royals proved too strong in the opening half with PNG sevens international Marie Biyama and skipper Vera Waula scoring early for an 8-0 lead.
Tarangau were able to stay in the contest early in the second half with second-rower Anna Forova crossing over and five-eighth Elizabeth Kaupa adding the extras to trail 6-8.
Tarangau’s hopes of a comeback were dashed as Royals used their backline speed to see dummy-half Eva Paul score while Biyama and Waula grabbed their second four-pointers for the Royals to cruise to a 16-point lead.
Royals coach Sammy Rice Jackson was impressed with his side’s win despite facing setbacks in the competition and club management.
“We’ve had the issue of the Coronavirus that has affected everyone in the competition,” he said.
“Despite those challenges, we tried to put them all aside and work together.
“It’s going to be a tough week to prepare for our next game, but we’ll be trying hard for another win.
“For the women’s team, we’ve always reached the finals and we’ve even been to the grand final for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 and 2016), so we’re no strangers to the playoffs.”
Royals are now on standby for the winner of the Magani-Sisters clash for a spot in the preliminary final.