Rugby League 9s

Marlins Take Out Pepsi 9s title

The Marlins walked away with K10,000 cash prize and the Cup. Runners up, South City Rams claimed K4,000 in prize money.

The Marlins Team Captain Michael Aimiri said: “We only had two days of training with the boys. The good thing is that we all know each other and have being taking parts in the nines tournament in the city so it helps our combination.”

He said we worked hard on our defense and we also cut down on errors. That’s how we kept ourselves in the contest every games. He added that, scoring try was not a concern for the team. The focus was always on our defense.

Sabama team upset Ave

Both teams were tied at 4-all after regulation time, forcing the contest into golden point time to decide the winner.

Ave had the services of current Orchids, Vero Waula and the Malabag sisters, Lilah and Rose up against an unknown Raiders outfit who scored the winning try in golden point time to shock their more fancied opponents 8-4 at fulltime.

The Ave women’s team is from the Gordons suburb with bulk of the women are seasoned players from the Port Moresby rugby league competition.

JT 9s senior men’s matches to kick-off

It kicks off tomorrow today at 9am with all teams keen to kick off their campaign in the winner’s circle.

The 13th edition of the JT9s this year comes new teams Lufa Kevei Muruks from Eastern Highlands and Purari Kokori from Gulf making their debut on Tuesday.

These two rural teams will for the first time unleash their unknown grass roots talent at this competitive level.

Kevei Muruks are in pool J with Manua Laumas, Birag Rats and Gabutu Countryside Cowboys. Purari Kokori is in pool B with Watari Scorpions, Taurama Wolf Pack and Border Storms.

JT 9s Resumes

After prolonged deferral caused by wet weather, it is now all clear to complete the two minor divisions.

Sab City Raiders are confident of unsettling champion IMHC Vadavada United in round 2 at 10.40am today.

It's not going to be easy as Raiders need to keep a close check on United's Joanne Lagona and Joan Kuman before they run loose.

These are the two match winners that Raiders Kelly Peter, Cynthia Baia and Flora Yanu must stop at all costs.

Both sides looking forward to win to remain unbeaten after two rounds.

Central Dabaris 9’s challenge

The competition which started on Monday the 9th of January will come to a completion in early February.

Teams that won the finals in the respective zones throughout Central Province now qualified are; Eboa 1 and Inauaia Roosters from Mekeo, Hisiu Knights 2 and Highway Panthers from Kairuku East, Ba’ara and St Mary’s 2 from Kairuku West.

Koiari Gogeas 1 and Wasim Laumas from Koiari, Lahua Laumas and Zivago from Hiri East, Buria Reds and Western Flames from Hiri West.

Aroma 9s tourney unleash talents

Enara challenged the raw talents and community that this tourney is all about harvesting new crops from 16, 18 and 20 year-olds especially students and village youths 

He said to rise to the next level will be determined with the right skills and discipline which is important to be a top player.

“That is why we restrict and monitor the ages of players from all teams to ensure there is no cheating. There is fairplay during the event and that only the best teams win on the day.

JT 9s on again

The yearly event, which usually runs between February and March, will again feature the 16 Moresby Souths RFL (MSRL) affiliate clubs while invitational teams are again welcome. Dates to be confirmed shortly.

MSRFL Chairman and Tournament Director Bagelo Solien is excited to advise that teams from Gulf, Central and (Lae) Morobe have indicated their participation in this year's tournament.

Team Waidex will be out to defend their title and Bixsie Tala Rasta men will as usual step up to the challenge.

Sepik Pride squad assembled

Sepik Pride Chairman, Bradley Simon has assembled players this week as they kick off their journey to Digicel Cup. 

Players from Port Moresby and East Sepik will travel to Ialibu for a week preparation where players From Lae, Goroka and SHP will join the group before the SHP 9s kick off. 

Simon said: “As we await the decision by PNG National Rugby League Competitions, EMK Sepik Pride has taken a bold step on our first mission, and that is to take part in the SHP 9s.”

Club teammates make history as women’s rugby league 9s debuts

But on Monday in Samoa they made history on opposite teams, each captaining their country of heritage in the first ever women’s rugby league 9s competition at the Pacific Games.

Feterika led Samoa onto the field for the opening game of the tournament, hand-in-hand with Nati, who captained the Cook Islands.

It was an extraordinary moment for both women, the most experienced female players in the event alongside New Zealand teammate Luisa Gago, who is also representing Samoa. The other teams in the women’s competition are Fiji, Niue, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.