Kramer Ausenco Brothers have successfully defended the Pacific Industries Capital Rugby Union premiership title for the second time.
They claimed victory with a massive 26 points to 14 against arch rivals and minor premiers, Credit Corp Harlequins, in front of packed Bava Park rugby stands on Saturday.
The injection of PNG Pukpuks 7’s trio, Eugene Tokavai, Arther Clement and 2-try hero Emil Latu Mahina into the Brothers outfit for Saturday’s decider added the running flair to their game. It was the difference that made it difficult for the Harlies to counter in the opening exchanges when they went about their business of setting up plays, scoring tries and kicking goals.
The Harlies, despite having their share of experienced 7’s players in Monty Diave, Desmond Korpok and Billy Torea, they were their own worst enemies, with lack of discipline and ball control resulting in turnovers inside their own 22 that allowed Brothers to capitalize and score points.
In fact, the turning point of the match came earlier in the first half that saw Emil Latu Mahina streaking away to draw first blood on right edge with Tokavai missing the conversion and putting the score at 5-nil. In the ensuing play, Tokavai kicked his first goal from a Harlequins infringement 30 metres out.
And as if that was not enough, Tokavai was involved again in the next play, this time scoring a converted try from some brilliant display of skills and speed by his pukpuk 7’s colleague, Arthur Clement, and again, kicking another penalty goal just before the break. This put Brothers in front by 21 points to nil at half time, of which 16 points came from Tokavai’s personal tally.
After coping a mouthful from coach Billy Rapilla at the break, Harlequins were able to compose themselves and regroup after conceding a Brothers try minutes into the second stanza, which was Mahina’s second of the afternoon.
Harlies showed some great character with a more controlled and disciplined game, something that they failed to do in the first half. But to their credit, resilience and perseverance eventually paid off, with back to back tries in the dying stages, but left it much too late for Brothers to hold on and claim the premiership title for the second season in a row.
In the other finals:
- A Grade - Harlequins thrashed Wanderers 12-0 (SP SHIELD)
- U23’s – University beat Nova 10 -7 (GC SHIELD)
- U19’s – Nova defeated University 10-0 (BLUE PLANET LOGISTIC SHIELD)
- Women’s Division Defending champions - Novettes beat Sisters 12-10 (RHODES PNG CUP)