Gulf Isou

CEO of the Gulf Province Sports Trust (GPST), Lawrence Lahari, informed this newsroom that 18 Players from the Gulf Isou 25 - man team had been released following an ultimatum made by a faction of the players.

However, Laharai said as per PNG National Rugby League requirements they are not able to register new players after Round (6) and will now speak to the players individually.

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..

This afternoon they sailed over the Gulf Isou at the Sir John Guise stadium, 36-16 at fulltime.

In the opening minutes it was fair play from both sides as they tested each other on the field, but the Isous were quick with first try just after 10 minutes into the game.

Mioks returned the favour some six minutes later with a try from John Orope. Roger Laka levelled the score with a conversion.

It was 6-all until a close call by Mioks winger, with a second attempt that was unsuccessful.

It took some time but the Gulf boys finally found their rhythm in the 20^th-minute when Moses Okopela barged over.

This opened the gates to more points, with tries to captain and five-eighth, Joshua Thomas, and a flying Ilave Sapea.

This took them to a 16-0 lead at the break.

The Wigmen looked to their speed men for points and they delivered with Darius Baluba and Elvis Ayako crossing over to narrow the deficit to a converted try.

Gulf Isou selectors and former PNG Kumuls, Tuksy Karu and Joshua Kouoru, were present to scout raw talent for the team.

Selectors will select a Kerema based team that will travel to Port Moresby in two weeks’ time to play a Port Moresby based side to finalise the Gulf Isou team for the 2018 campaign in the Digicel Cup.

The selectors will also pick another U23 team for Gulf Isou to take part in the PNG Super 9s in Goroka this weekend.

PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNG – NRLC) chairman, Adrian Chow, said today the two new franchises had the strongest bids.

“All applications were assessed on five main criteria – governance and management structures, venue, financial backing, linkages to affiliated leagues in their areas and the franchise fitting into the overall plan and strategies of the PNG National Rugby League competition.

“Gulf Isou and Simbu Warriors met these requirements and therefore their bid to be a part of the 2018 Digicel Cup competition was successful,” Chow said.