Tarangau breaks Magani hearts in semi-final

 TARANGAU and Brothers secured the grand final berths in Port Moresby Rugby League premier grade yesterday.

Going down to the wire Tarangau clinched the winner in the dying minutes when winger Leo Samuel killed off Magani’s hopes for a 10-8 win. 

This was also Samuel’s second touch down in the final half that help the Tarangau claim the first grand final spot.

In the other semi-final Brothers walloped Souths 20-8 in a one-sided affair.

Both Magani and Souths bowed out of the 2013 premiership race exhibiting sportsmanship. 

Magani, who were the minor premiers, were gutted after their loss.

One of the foundation clubs of the Port Moresby rugby league and also one of the first clubs formed in the country in the late 1940s, Magani were denied a chance to add to their history by a determined Tarangau.

Magani led 10-4 at interval 10- 4 through a double by winger Makara Hura (only one try was converted) while Tarangau got their points through centre Barry Pakaea.

Magani winger Pipi Kilori could have snatched a match-winner in the final minute but a lack of composure by the backline cruelled any chance of a last-gasp win.

This was just one of several crucial errors committed by the men in red and green in the second half that resulted in them not scoring a point.

Tarangau were also guilty of missing chances to score tries especially when in good field position.

But they persevered and finally came up trumps four minutes before time.

The decisive blow was struck when Tarangau spread the ball from a scrum which caught Magani defenders short when Samuel crashed over in the corner.