Tuna Bay, Paga triumph

By JACK AMI
TUNA Bay (men) and Paga Panthers (women) defeated their opponents to claim the annual Brian Bell Hevea Cup rugby league nines in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Tuna Bay upset reigning champions Siporo Magpies 18-10 and Paga Panthers ousted Terapo Roosters 24-14 in their respective finals at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.
The two champions claimed top honors with little resistance from their opponents.
In the women’s division, PNG rugby international Joan Logona was voted the player of the tournament and Roswita Jack Kapo was named the player of the grand final for the Panthers while Terapo’s Lila Malabag was announced as the top scorer with 48 points.
Both sides fielded several current and former PNG Orchids players with veteran Janet Michael, Vanessa Palme and Mala Mark suiting up for Paga. The Roosters had Malabag, Berthshiba Awoi and Martha Molowia.
Logona wreaked havoc with the ball as she set up Mark to score a treble. Logona also scored two tof her own and converted two goals.
Paga had the advantage in their silk passing and speed to threaten the opposition time and again.
The Panthers led 16-10 at the interval and scored another eight second-half points compared with the Roosters’ four.
In the men’s category, Sakavai Gebai was named the player of the tournament, Tuna Bay’s Michael Miro was voted the player of the grand final and Greg Misi was announced as the top scorer.
Leading 6-4 at halftime, Tuna Bay’s Michael Miro and Sakavai Gebai combined to outclass the opposition and register another 12 points to the Magpies’ six.