Tarangau win Port Moresby league minor premiership

HEKARI Tarangau have consolidated their claim for the minor premiership after their four-point (16-12) win over Kone Tigers in the Port Moresby rugby league A grade competition last Saturday.
Tarangau, who have been leading the competition from the start of the season, have a game in hand against archrivals MS Wagambie Paga Panthers to mark the end of season proper.
Despite the outcome, Tarangau are confirmed for the minor title while the Panthers must win their game to secure the third post.
Tarangau coach James Naipao and his vice-president Fada Elijah were all excited about the win last weekend.
Elijah said despite having the minor premiership in the bag, they will be out for revenge against the Panthers who inflicted their first loss of the season during the first round of the competition.
Paga Panthers 22-20 lead was saved by the bell as Dobo Warriors were charging in the dying minutes to cause an upset.
Coach Richard Wagambie said after the match that there was a lot of room for improvement with final series starting next weekend.
Wagambie vowed to instill discipline in his players to ensure they stick to the game plan to win matches.
Second-placed Kone Storms were disappointed after going down to KAL Magani 16-14.
Marshalled by skipper Dickson Laipen, the Wallabies squashed any hope the Storms had at the minor premiership by leading all the way from the start of the whistle to finish.
Despite the loss, Flame Flour Kone Storms still maintain their second spot on the ladder.
The most notable improver in the game leading to finals was Kawaso Defence.
With six straight wins, the fired-up green machine from Murray Barracks bulldozed their way over depleted Kavo Wests 20-11.
In other matches, Hawks beat Maiari Eagles 34-12 and Brothers rumbled over SBS Butterflies 22-18 while Souths steamrolled Royals 34-12.