Finals

On Saturday, Normil Pirates went head to head with Momase Warriors in the men's grand final. A tight contest but in the end Warriors prevailed notching up 279, to win by 72 runs over Pirates 207.

There was impressive batting by both teams. Tony Ura stood out for Warriors with 137 runs while Hiri Pirates scored an amazing 105 runs.

In the Women’s final on Sunday, Momase Warriors and NCD Capital had a close one.The Capital girls beat Warriors scoring 129 runs to Warriors 128.

The main drawcard on Sunday will see early Cup favourites and joint competition leaders Lae Snax Tigers and PRK Mendi Muruks in Lae.

While teams fight on to keep their finals hopes alive an epic battle at the top end of the ledger for minor premiership honors is looming between competition leaders, Lae Snax Tigers and second placed PRK Mendi Muruks this Sunday at the Lae rugby league oval.

Both teams are currently locked up on 16 points apiece with Tigers just ahead on percentage.

Blaring music and simulated crowd noise was the backdrop on Tuesday as the Warriors prepared for the atmosphere they expect against Penrith at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

Fit-again five-eighth Green introduced the idea, believing the Warriors need a reminder of what awaits in the play-offs, seven years after their last post- season experience.

"It's just a lot louder when you play finals footy. It was just something I thought would be of benefit," he said.

The sixth-placed SP PNG Hunters aim to play in the Intrust Super Cup finals, and that will be their focus for the remaining games.

The SP PNG Hunters’ winning streak started in round 18 of the Intrust Super Cup.

Since then, they have secured an impressive 6 consecutive wins under their belts.

However, celebrations will have to wait as the team eyes the finals.

SP Hunters assistant coach, Nigel Hukula, says to realise that goal, they aim to secure another two points from the round 24 match against the Central Queensland Capras this Saturday evening.

Lucky residents who wish to catch the Hunters’ showdown live will have their airfares subsidised by the National Capital District Commission.

This was announced by Governor Powes Parkop today.

The presentation of K75,000 by Governor Parkop to the Air Niugini Management today sealed the airfare subsidy deal.

Under this arrangement, the first 90 residents to book their flight on the special flight PX40005/PX4006 will leave Port Moresby at 7am on Sunday, September 24^th, and return the same day, departing Brisbane at 10:15pm.

This was confirmed by Competition Manager of the PNG NRLC, Stanley Hondina at a press conference today held at the National Football Stadium.

“This is in compliance with our Competitions Operations Manual to have all finals in neutral venues,” said Hondina.

Hondina added the grand final of the Digicel Cup is scheduled for Saturday September 9 at the PNG Football Stadium.

“It will be played on September 9 because the next day on Sunday September 10, the SP Hunters will host the major semi-final at the National Football Stadium.

In the B grade finals, United Brothers def. Stingerz 4-3 and Bears defeated PNG Power 5-0.

PNG Power have now bowed out of the finals race.

To the A grade division, PNG Power def. Brown Eagles 10-1 while United Brothers def. Defence 7-3.

The Defence boys will now hang up their boots for the season. 

At 9am will be the first game that will see Anti-Pest United Brothers take on Stingerz in the B-grade division.

Following after is an A-grade encounter which will be the showdown of the Matupit boys between PNG Power and Brown Eagles.

In the third game, PNG Power will clash with Bears in the other B grade final.

The main game of the day is at 3pm between Anti-Pest United Brothers and Defence which should be a thriller.

All four games (Two A-grade and two B-grade) will be played on diamond one.

In the Bowl division: Wests (1) vs Ril Roadsiders and Kone Storms (2) vs Butterflies (2).

To the Plate divison: Kone Storms (1) vs Dobo Warriors (1) and Souths (2) vs Wests (2).

Up to the Cup division: Hohola Flies (1) vs Royals (1) and Brothers (2) vs Tarangau  (2).

Tournament official, David Silovo said games will start at 10am with the Bowl division preliminary finals.

He said the Cup grand final will kick off at 3pm.

Similar to the Pacific Games and the Nations Cup, prohibited items such as fire arms, sharp objects, food and drinks, spray cans, mega phones, hooters, horns, betelnut, lime and mustard are not allowed to be taken into the stadium.

Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee, Seamus Marten said there were still some fans bringing prohibited items which are not allowed in the stadium.

“We still have people arriving at the stadium mag and bag area with umbrellas, pens, markers, lighters and cigarettes with them to take into the stadium,” said Marten.