Kimbe Cutters

The Gurias showed their class, power and experience early in the contest to take the lead 18-6 to halftime.

It was Guria's prodigal son Stanley Olo darting out of dummy half to open the scoring which was successfully converted by Saki Peter to give Gurias a 6-0 lead over  Cutters. 

The 42 man squad will be assembled this week and will go through medical checks before they commence training.

Cutters Team Manager Freddie Kumai said the Train on squad is made up of 38 players selected from the recent Coca Cola Ipatas Cup (CCIC) Kimbe challenge.

Kumai said a final squad will be selected and trimmed to 26 after the train and trials game in March.

The best 26 will have a first trial game before they attend the CCIC challenge in Lae in four weeks’.

The 9s tournament has been booked for the 14th, 15th and 16th of January, 2022.

The Cutters, who are looking forward to their 3rd season in the PNG National Rugby League competition, are committed to creating pathways for more young talents from within and out of the province to be scouted for the 2022 season.

Cutters team manager Freddie Kumai said the Kimbe 9s challenge is slated for the 14th, 15th and 16th of January, 2022 and sponsored by West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel with major cash incentives on offer.

The Mendi outfit displayed their intentions in the first 8 minutes of Sunday's double-header, with Muruks' centre, Clent Lama, swiftly catching the ball on the right wing to ground it for the opening try. 

Five-eighth Wesley Batari added an extra two points for a 6-point lead. 

22 minutes in and winger Leon Undipia broke through an already tired Cutters defense. With an unsuccessful conversion, the scores were 10-nil until an energetic Batari tore through for another unconverted try, 33 minutes in. 

The teams went for break with their points at 14-0.

A match away from home and leading from the first whistle, it was a close encounter with Gurias who scored in the first five minutes through Dominic Anis.

Shortly after, Isaac Patrick scored the second try for the Gurias.

But Anthony Longa from the Cutters scored Cutters’ first try of the match, pocketing four (4) points.

Few more minutes into the game, Mark Alunga dived in with another successful try for the Gurias to bring the score to 14 points.

BSP presented a cheque of K100,000 to the Cutters in Kimbe.

“We are grateful to BSP for being part of the local talent development, not only as a sponsor, but being part of the team’s progress through financial literacy trainings, new account opening and guiding the players in making wise financial decisions,” said Kimbe Cutters Vice President, Sydney Nuli.

He thanked BSP for the three-year commitment to the team, which has enabled the team to successfully participate in the Digicel Cup competition since 2019.

PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) Manager, Stanley Hondina, said late this afternoon that this is due to the uncertainty of flights in and out of Hoskins.

“This game was originally scheduled to be played in Kimbe this weekend but with the recent turn of events, I advise that this cannot be played in Kimbe and has been moved to Kokopo for a double header this Sunday July 7th at Kalabond oval,” Hondina said.

Central Dabari and Kimbe Cutters are the new entries while the Mt Hagen Eagles re-enter the comp after a two-year suspension.

They join the remaining nine teams which are premiers Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, PRK Mendi Muruks, EPG Enga Mioks, Giru Waghi Tumbe, Lae Snax Tigers, Kroton Hela Wigmen, NCDC Vipers, PRK Gulf Isou and Agmark Rabaul Gurias.

The Chimbu Warriors unfortunately have been omitted after failing to meet certain requirements set last season by the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) Board.

Governor Muthuvel said they will also be approaching major companies in the province to support their bid.

The Governor added that Hunters Coach, Michael Marum, has accepted their invitation to attend and assist in the selection of players for the Kimber Cutters team when its hosts trial matches for players.

The province has held several competitions and trials as part of its bid for the rugby league team.

(Loop filepic of WNB rugby league teams)

Muthuvel, who was in the province to witness another staging of the Cutters’ last leg of the 9s tournament in Kimbe last weekend, said he is confident that the team will make it into the competition in 2019.

With the aim of selecting potential and talented players for the Kimbe Cutters team next year, the provincial leaders have put every effort into the bid.

Governor Muthuvel said their bid is also getting support from senior political leaders around the country, including Enga Governor Peter Ipatas.