Souths 9s end in chaos

By JACK AMI
SOUTHERN nines rugby league grand final ended in controversy on Friday, forcing tournament organisers to award the match and the cup title to Maopa Paio.
The organisers decided to disqualify a converted try by Gavuone Lako Blues, which was scored well after the final hooter and levelled the scores 18-18.
The match would have gone into golden-point time had it not been for the ensuing drama.
Paio were leading 18-12 when the final hooter sounded but senior referee Tony Kuni prolonged the game and awarded the late try to Lako Blues.
Angry Paio supporters then invaded the Lloyd Robson Oval and forced Kuni to dash for safety.
His touch judges followed suit after raising the flags for the successful conversion.
In the melee, a Paio supporter in the grand stand smashed the glass panel of the announcer’s box, causing hundreds of kina worth of damage.
Match coordinator Tora Ivora and other officials who were sitting in the announcer’s box escaped injuries from the shattered glass panel.
The damage and on-field drama are likely to put the future of the Southern nines tournament at risk, particularly the use of the country’s premier rugby league venue.
Tournament director Ivan Ravu did not elaborate on the controversy but indicated that the matter would be dealt with in a professional manner.
The abrupt ending to the match spoilt an otherwise entertaining and close grand final.
Maopa Paio seemingly had the edge with experienced and talented players like current Kumul Josiah Abavu and his brother Anthony, Junior Belo, Fred Salias and Mitch Niesi.
But an equally determined Lako Blues side kept them at bay and managed to outscore them in the first half to lead 12-10.
Lako’s Ivan Vagi, Dennis Tera, Leonard Ovo, Israel Wari, Gairo Samuel and Don Tera worked tirelessly but could not prevent a Paio surge in the second half which saw them clinch the lead before the abrupt ending.
Paio took the first prize-money of K8,000 and a replica cup due to the late arrival of the real cup from Brisbane.
Lako settled for K4,000 cash prize and the runners-up trophy.
Player of the tournament award of K200 went to Taurama’s John Stanley while Josiah Abavu picked up the best and fairest award of K100.
Both teams qualified for the grand final after Paio beat MK Brothers 12-10 and Lako downed Taurama 17-16 in the preliminary finals.
In the plate final, Kerema team Miro Koivi beat WRS Kupiano 12-4 to win K5,500. Kupiano got K3,000.
And in the Bowl final, Porebada Broncos thumped YJ Tigers 18-8 to win K1,500 while Tigers collected K1,000.
In the pennant final, Hohola Steeler beat Donadabu Minas 6-4 to win K900 while Minas settled for K600.
Minor cash prizes totaling K28,600 were awarded to other participants.