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| Tari Blacks team - photo credit |
Tournament director and Tari League president Joseph Kaupa was pleased with the level of competitiveness from the participating teams.
“This is a milestone for rugby league in Tari and Hela with teams from different districts putting their differences aside and coming to compete,” Kaupa said.
“Rugby league is indeed a powerful platform to drive change of mindset and the message of unity.
“This will also pave the way for Hela Wigmen to host home games in Tari once their new stadium is completed in few months’ time.”
The 12-team tournament saw Strickland Raiders crowned plate winners after edging Mt Hagen based Warakum Bulls 22-21.
Cup winners Tari Blacks walked away with K20,000 prize money with runners-up Pori Rockies receiving K15,000.
Plate winners Strickland Raiders received K10,000 while plate runners-up Warakum Bulls received K5,000.
It was a seesawing game in the final which saw both Blacks and Rockies leveled at 18-18 at the end of regular time.
The match went into 10 minutes extra time as Blacks scored two tries to win while Rokies scored a try.
Rockies fullback Bobby Julias stared in the tournament despite his side losing the final.
Julias scored a double in the final and a try assist. He was awarded K500 as Tari Rugby League president’s player of the tournament.
Julias said he was pleased to win the award as a consolation.
“We really wanted to win. We knew we had them in most period the game but we drifted off in the dying stages which saw momentum shifted to the Blacks,” Julias said.
“But I’m happy we won K15,000 and the player of the tournament award is a bonus not only for me but the team.”
News source www.thenational.com.pg
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