Hela Wigmen

The Fortuna Online Central Dabaris played their best in Port Moresby yesterday but the Hela Wigmen delivered a strong performance against them.

The Wigmen proved to be the better side while the Dabaris missing key players and regular Captain, Adam Korave, lacked direction and leadership.

The Wigmen raced to a 12-point lead at half-time scoring three unconverted tries, with winger Gilmo Paul bagging a double and Julius Yakopa scoring the other.

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.

“Rugby league is in our hearts. Our boys can play,” said Hame Laki.

“The players in the team must be selected from within Hela as well and not just outside.”

Obert Ondale added: “There must not be biased selection when picking the team.

“Rugby league is in our blood and keeps the youths away from trouble. Through sports, peace will come. Hela Wigmen is for Hela.”

Laki and Ondale have the backing of the President of Komo Rugby League, Max Malai, who shared the sentiments.

There are 16 teams taking part in the two tournament, which is being played at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

The quarter-finals for the 9s challenge will start at 12pm today. The Plate grand final will be played at 2pm followed by the Cup division at 2:30pm.

The presentation will be held straight after.

In Goroka, the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis play host to the Kroton Hela Wigmen at 3pm while across in Minj, Waghi Tumbe will clash with the Agmark Rabaul Gurias. This game will get underway at 2pm.

The other game in the Highlands will be between PRK Mendi Muruks and EPG Enga Mioks in Mendi starting at 2pm.

Down to Lae, reigning premiers Lae Snax Tigers will go head to head with NCDC Port Moresby Vipers. This fixture is set for 3pm.

The current standings after round two:

This follows the announcement on Tuesday of a partnership between the Hela Wigmen Club and Ipswich Jets which will see four players from Hela, train and play with the Intrust Super Cup Club.

Ipswich Jets CEO, Jason Cubit, told Loop PNG that under the current arrangement, the Hela Wigmen management will identify and provide them with the right players.

Cubit also said they will provide them with other opportunities off the field.

The sponsorship package includes K1.2 million from Kroton Limited, a subsidiary of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), includes naming rights to the team who will now be known as the Kroton Limited Hela Wigmen Rugby League Team.

This will cover affiliation fees for the 2017 Digicel Cup Competition (K500,000), the development of a club training infrastructure (K500,000) and an Ambassadorial program with the Ipswich Jets club in the Queensland, Australia (K200,000).

The Hela Provincial Government also has provided K600,000 to the Club for this year.

The Hela Governor announced this on Thursday during a media conference after sealing a tourism development partnership with the Tourism Promotion Authority.

During this occasion Tourism and Culture Minister Tobias Kulang presented K100,000 on behalf of TPA to kickstart the Hela Tourism Development Program.

Governor Potape said it was time for the Hela Wigmen to have a venue of their own to play from.

“We should not continue to play out of Mendi. We now have a province of our own…Hela, so our Hela Wigmen must play from Tari,” Governor Potape highlighted.

In the games yesterday (Sunday), the PRK Mendi Muruks caused an upset, beating the Kemele Hela Wigmen 14-11.

The other upset came from the game between Waghi Tumbe and EPG Enga Mioks, where Tumbe came out victors winning 20-0.

Up at Goroka, PRK Gulf Isapea beat the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis at home 14-12.

To Lae, the home side Snax Lae Tigers were too strong for the TNA Simbu Lions, handing them a 22-8 scoreline.

In the game on Saturday at the National Football Stadium, the Agmark Rabaul Gurias came back to beat the SNS Port Moresby Vipers 14-12.

The two teams played the inaugural cup and a cash price of K5000 during the third round of the Digicel Cup in Mendi but it was decided to be replayed after drawing 12-12.

Under the concept that the Enga Provincial Government introduced, the two teams will play for the Agiru Cup during the first Digicel Cup fixture annually.

Sir Peter Ipatas said his government had come up with the idea in recognition of the leader who had contributed a lot to the development of his province.