Strickland Raiders, East-West Ninjas bag Ipatas Cup gold passes

THE Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup (CCIC) western-end challenge completed its finals at the Minj Rugby League Ground on the weekend with Strickland Raiders and East-West Ninjas bagging gold passes.
The challenge kicked off on Friday with 16 teams vying to advance to the next stage of the country’s biggest offseason rugby league competition. In game one of the top-four finals, Hela’s Raiders beat Enga’s Yakuman Brothers 14-10.
The Brothers sought to mount a fightback but the Raiders were solid in defence as they held on for the win.
In the second game, Mt Hagen’s Ninjas edged Yandarin Tigers 10-8 with East-West the more clinical side in attack. CCIC chief executive Sam Koi said the challenge kicked off in November with 104 western-end teams from Enga, Hela, Southern Highlands and Western Highlands.
He thanked the teams and their sponsors for ensuring a successful challenge despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Koi said the rainy weather had affected the challenge but they managed to pull through and hold the finals.
He said the eastern-end finals would be held this weekend with the two gold pass winners earning a shot to reach the grand final in Lae.
Koi thanked CCIC patron and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas for his support.