Vabukori, Koki face strong tests in Moresby South League

By JACK AMI
VABUKORI Mosquitoes and Koki Eels will look to spring upsets against pacesetters Taurama Wolfpack and Gabutu Dragons respectively in round four of the Moresby South Rugby League competition tomorrow.
Both on six points each, Dragons and Wolfpack are the two only unbeaten A-grade teams while Mosquitoes (four) and Eels (three) have so far recorded mixed results at Moresby South Stadium.
Mosquitoes prop Jacob Sarea will return from an ankle injury to partner fellow forwards Lam Eddie, Manu Mera, Mefi Eddie and John Memafu.
In the backline, halves Arnold Kila and Jerry Karava will look to combine with hooker Alex Karo to outsmart Wolfpack captain Maxwell John and rake Malai Kua.
For the Koki-Gabutu clash, Eels forwards in captain Karo Iamo, Iamo Jimmy, Ali Olema, Lemach Joe and hooker Botty Gigi have a huge task against Dragons’ pack.
On Sunday, Vadavada United will look to rebound against luckless Kipo Eastern Pride, Kone Eagles will face Sab City Raiders and Samson Pirika-led Kaugere Seagulls will meet Two-Mile Pearls.
The main fixture will be between Kaugere Bulldogs and Talai Spartans.
Meanwhile, the league will kick off its women’s season this weekend.
Competition manager Moses Kumbi said only eight women’s teams had expressed interest to compete in the upcoming season.
He said the teams were last year’s grand finalists Pearls, Raiders, Dragons, Eagles, Six-Mile Crows, Joyce Bay Roosters, newcomers SS Rabbitohs and Mosquitoes.
Kumbi encouraged Wolfpack, Vadavada, Kaugere Bulldogs, Seagulls, Southern Sons, Eels, Eastern Pride, Spartans and Koro Souths to register women’s teams.