2017

Marum: The better team won

“It was a tough game. They were hungrier for the points. They deserved the victory.

“Our boys didn’t play well. We really need to sit down properly and look at our game heading forward. We’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Marum.

Marum added the absence of captain and five-eighth Ase Boas was not a contributing factor to the loss to the last-placed Seagulls.

“From the start, we didn’t stick to our game plan. It’s not an excuse missing the skipper. We had 13 boys who are all capable of playing.

Fifita front of mind for new-look Maroons

The new-look Maroons took to the training field in formation for the first time this week with Darius Boyd running in the uncustomary position of left centre inside debutant Valentine Holmes, Billy Slater reclaiming his right to bark orders from the back and Jarrod Wallace, Tim Glasby and Coen Hess getting used to trucking the ball forward through the middle third.

Hunters and Seagulls game on Saturday

CEO of the PNG Rugby Football League, Reatau Rau, explained the change of dates, from Sunday to Saturday, was due to high demand from fans in Port Moresby.

“The QRL recently gave its endorsement of our request to play the round 15 game against Tweed Heads Seagulls on a Saturday, with kick off at 5pm. The Seagulls have agreed to this arrangement.

“This follows the success of a Saturday match in Round 9 which the Port Moresby fans thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed at the National Football Stadium,” said Rau.

All about defence: Hunters

The Hunters had to fight off a late surge from the Magpies to pick up two competition points from the round 14 clash.

“In the first half, we didn’t complete all our sets and kept defending. The Magpies had a lot of football. Second half was the same thing. Our defence got us to the end. It got us through.

“At half time, I just basically told the team to stick to the game plan. We knew the Magpies were going to back really hard on us and the result showed that.

“In terms of attack, we have a lot of work to do. We’re looking forward to this weekend,” said Marum.

Magpies: One of our best games this season

“It wasn’t the prettiest in attack. I thought both sides were really willing in defence. The end result was two tries a piece. It was a really good game of footy.

“We’re a bit bruised and battered but we’ll be alright. We have a bye this weekend and we’re looking forward to a break to freshen before our next game,” said Buchanan.

“Thanks for having us, it’s always good coming here to PNG.”

Captain of the Magpies, Phil Dennis, added that a lot had been taken out from the 12-8 loss.

Haoda vows to continue to deliver

Speaking at his rallies last week at Babaka, Makerupu and Hula village in the Rigo district, Haoda said that if elected back into parliament for another term, he will continue on from where he has started.

“I think I have done my part. I will build upon what I have done in the last five years.

 “The power is in your hands now. If you put rubbish into parliament, you’ll get rubbish out of parliament.

Wigmen, Tigers, Mioks and Muruks victors

In Port Moresby, the Wigmen def. NCDC Port Moresby Vipers 28-8 while in Lae, the Tigers def. Waghi Tumbe 14-10.

Up at Wabag, the Mioks def. Agmark Rabaul Gurias 22-18 and across to Mendi, the Muruks def. Bintangor Goroka Lahanis 22-20.

Hunters scrape home with 12-8 win

It was a balanced opening quarter as both sides looked to find their rhythm.

The Hunters found theirs first in the 21st minute when Israel Eliab found space down the short side and gave it on to Watson Boas, who drew in the defence before firing out to Bland Abavu to run away to score.

Captain and five-eighth Ase Boas had no trouble converting to make it 6-0.

The Magpies found the try line later in the 31st minute of play after some good vision from Luke Archer saw him cross over on the wing.

Wigmen thrash Vipers

The Wigmen hit the lead in the first five minutes after Clyde Name dived over on the wing.

The Vipers were able to hit back just before the break when centre Lawrence Kuso scored.

However, the kick from Maxwell Doriga was unsuccessful, leaving the score at half-time at 6-4.

Poor ball handling in the second half from the Vipers meant more possession for their opponents.

The Wigmen made the Vipers pay dearly, scoring twice in ten minutes through Standford Talita and Paul Karbi.

This brought the score to 16-4.

Second match for Tony Elly Cup tomorrow

Both sides boast formidable line-ups with their batsmen firing for their clubs in the ITI Premier Trophy competition.

Most notably, three centuries have been scored respectively by Assad Vala, Hiri Hiri (Swire Shipping Hoods) and Vani Vagi Morea (IBS Poreporena).

Lega Siaka (Dulux United) also came close over the weekend with a quick fire 92 off 57 balls.

The bowling departments are quite even with Hawks boasting several in-form pace bowlers.

Mea Nao and Timothy Mou have been leading the attack well for Swire Shipping Hoods and will be tested by the Eagles.