United, Raiders through to last four in Moresby comp

By JACK AMI
VADAVADA United and Sub City Raiders will be aiming to continue their premiership charge this weekend after they secured close wins in the Moresby South Rugby League A-grade elimination finals last Sunday.
United edged minor premiers Kaugere Bulldogs 8-6 and Raiders recorded the same scoreline against Gabutu Dragons at Moresby South Stadium.
United meet 6-Mile Crows and Raiders face Taurama Wolfpack in the preliminary finals on Sunday for a spot in the grand final.
Raiders pushed a pass to the right edge for centre Steward MacKinnon to cross over and fullback Junior Hoki added the extras for a 6-2 lead after Dragons slotted a penalty goal via five-eighth Hercules Nason before halftime.
Both sides tried desperately in the final 30 minutes.
Dragons were awarded two penalties in succession by match referee Leonard Alphonse in front of the sticks and Nason made no mistake in converting both chances to equalise 6-6 with 10 minutes remaining.
Raiders had to play smarter around the ruck area and were finally rewarded with a penalty which Hoki converted five minutes from fulltime to break Dragons’ hearts.
Raiders coach Roy Lunguni attributed the win to his team’s defence which they had fixed after their 0-4 loss to Crows the previous weekend.
“We also had to complete our sets to keep Dragons at bay,” he said.
Dragons coach Hudson Tombos said: “The first 40 minutes went well, but it turned a bit sour in the second half with silly errors creeping into our game.
“But it was a good effort from my players who went down fighting.”
Dragons captain Jacob Sarea was disappointed after match, saying his men had lacked discipline in their preparations.
Sarea said they were unable to train as a team because most of their players did not turn up for sessions
The captain said it was not an easy clash as the Raiders looked sharp and organised their defence well which denied the Dragons from scoring more points.