Digicel Cup

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.

In Port Moresby, Isou defeated  Giru Waghi Tumbe 24-18 and Vipers won EPG Enga Mioks 25-24.

In the Highlands, Tigers defeated Chimbu Warriors 38-10 and Wigmen beat Bintangor Goroka Lahanis 19-12.

Meantime in Kokopo, Gurias defeated PRK Mendi Muruks 14-10.

Dropping the ball from the kick off was not what the start Waghi Tumbe were looking for.

It cost them with a penalty conversion from Jefferey Para and then later a try to John Horope that put Isou in front at 6-0 inside 10 minutes.

But Tumbe grouped and hit back through a Frank Kagai four pointer which was converted to even the score.

Ball handling was an issue for Tumbe and Isou made them pay twice with Horope bagging his second, followed shortly after by Isou's other centre, John Stanley.

At the Oil Search National Football Stadium, the Agmark Rabaul Gurias will meet the NCDC Port Moresby Vipers at 1:30pm.

This will be followed by the 3:30pm clash between the Kroton Hela Wigmen and PRK Gulf Isou.

Up in the Highlands, the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis host the visiting Chimbu Warriors at the National Sports Institute in Goroka.

To Minj, Giru Waghi Tumbe have a date with the Snax Lae Tigers and the EPG Enga Mioks and PRK Mendi Muruks will clash at Aipus Oval inWabag.

All matches in the Highlands will start at 2pm.