Vabukori, Joyce Bay pull off upsets in Moresby South

By JACK AMI
VABUKORI Mosquitoes and Joyce Bay Roosters sprung upset wins over Moresby South Rugby League A-grade champions Taurama Wolfpack (16-4) and 2021 runners-up Six-Mile Crows (20-12) respectively on Saturday.
The efforts of Mosquitoes and Roosters have placed them in the top-eight after four rounds at Moresby South Stadium.
Gabutu Dragons beat Koki Eels 20-10 to continue their winning streak and remain the only unbeaten side in the 17-team division.
Kaugere Bulldogs lost 4-6 to Talai Spartans on Sunday.
Wolfpack opened the scoring early through an unconverted try by five-eighth Danny Brooks, but Mosquitoes halved the deficit, thanks to a penalty goal by No.6 Jerry Karava in the 20th minute.
Opposition reduced the scores with a penalty goal on the 20th minute to five eighth Jerry Karava to trial 2- 4.
This was followed by an unconverted try by halfback Arnold Kila five minutes later for Mosquitoes to take a 6-4 lead moments from halftime.
Mosquitoes picked up from where they left off in the first half as Kila evaded multiple defenders to score his second try which was converted for a 12-4 lead after halftime.
Two minutes from fulltime, Lam Eddie sliced through the defence to seal the win with an unconverted try.
Meanwhile, Two-Mile Pearls and Sab City Raiders started the women’s campaigns with wins over Roosters (18-4) and Mosquitoes (22-4) respectively on Sunday.
Former Papua New Guinea Palai Jill Yallon, PNG Orchid Lancy Laki, Lisa Bina and Nisilla Ravu spearheaded Pearls’ attack in the four-try haul.