Digicel Cup

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.

The teams vying for 2021 Digicel Cup are; Central Dabaris, Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, PRK Mendi Muruks, PRK Gulf Isous, Enga Mioks, Moniplus NCD Vipers, Agmark Rabaul Gurias, Lae Snax Tigers, Kroton Hela Wigmen, Kimbe Cutters, JPG Waghi Tumbe and Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles.

PNG Rugby Football League CEO, Stanley Hondina expressed his appreciation to the National Pandemic Controller, David Manning for approving the Digicel Cup competition.

The official announcement and signing of the continued sponsorship took place today between Digicel and PNG National Rugby League Competition.

The 10 year partnership between Digicel and the PNGNRLC was extended  today with the announcement of Digicel recommitting its naming rights sponsorship of the Digicel Cup for a further  two years.The extension of this major sponsorship deal was signed  between Digicel Senior Vice President Lorna McPerson and PNGNRLC Board Chairman Adrian Chow and Acting PNGNRLC Comapetition Manager,Stanley Hondina.

The association believes that having two separate provincial teams will create more employment opportunities as well as provide an avenue for raw talents who have the potential to lift the standard of rugby in the country.

The association is appealing to all the leaders in the province, including Governor William Powi, Imbonggu MP Pila Niningi, Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill and Kagua-Erave MP Wesley Raminai to help establish a second provincial rugby league team in the Eastern End of SHP.

Tumbe (Minj), Muruks (Mendi), Eagles (Mt Hagen), Lahanis (Goroka) and Cutters (Kimbe) franchises have been warned to control spectators and crowd behaviour during their home games.

“This is a warning to them and they must seriously take note,” PNGNRLC Manager, Stanley Hondina, said. “I remind them to comply with the Participation Agreement requirements that the host side is responsible for the safety and security of all players, officials and crowds.”

PNG NRL Competition manager, Stanley Hondina, says improving the system, process and governance of the game is expensive.

He said this in response to criticisms on social media on the amount of money required by the PNG NRLC for a rugby league franchise to join the Digicel Cup competition.

The PNG NRLC and Hondina came under fire recently on social media about the cost for a franchise bid and the registration fee to join the Digicel Cup.

The bid costs K100,000 while the registration costs K400,000 annually.

Strengths were evenly matched in the first 30 minutes of the match until table-toppers, Mioks, broke the ice with a Paul Wawa try.

A successful conversion ensured a 6-0 lead for them until Brendon Nima responded a few minutes later.

An unsuccessful conversion left the scores at 6-4 until a return from second half saw Mark Tony score the winning try for the Eastern Highlands side.

In front of a tightly-packed National Football Stadium, the Lahanis came from behind to claim the cup with a score of 10-6.

It was a tough encounter between both teams as each fought to gain the upper hand.

However, 19 minutes into the match and a pass from Tumbe’s fullback, Micah Pia, got intercepted by Amos Kafare at the Lahanis’ 40-metre mark.

With three chasers behind the left winger, he gave them a run for their money as he broke the ice with the first try of the match.

It was 4-0 until right before half time, the Lahanis slotted in another try through hooker, Charlie Buka.

The Gurias dominated the 80 minute match with quick ruck play and brutal defence and never looked troubled by the Isou.

Wartovo Puara Junior orchestrated and had a hand in most f the tries as he and fellow Hunters Dilbert Isaac and Ila Alu helped the Gurias rack up one of their highest scores of the season.

From the get go the Gurias looked the faster and physical.

The Isou defensive line looked staggered as the Gurias ran through gaps at will racing to an 18 point lead in the first 20th minutes of the match with tries to Eliakim Lukara, and Dilbert Isaac..

The hot Port Moresby heat did not deter the Wigmen in the Digicel Cup round 10 competition.

Less than 3 minutes into the game and Daniel Tapol flew over the Muruk’s tryline, registering the first score for the round 10 match.

A successful conversion by Stanley Olo saw the Wigmen lead with 6 points.

7 minutes later, Benjamin Hetra shouldered past 3 Muruks defenders for another try.

The Muruks responded a few minutes later with a try of their own. Unfortunately, an unsuccessful conversion by Warren Glare left the score at 12-4.