The PNGRFL’s National Women’s Competition; the Santos Cup matches on Saturday 31st August, rounded off the regular season with matches played in Lae, Rabaul and Port Moresby.
The Round 5 fixtures and results have now determined the top four (4) teams who will progress to the finals of the 2024 Santos Cup in its inaugural season.
The top four are; Central Dabaris, Lae Snax Tigers, Goroka Lahanis and Port Moresby Vipers.
The Lae Snax Tigers hosted the Central Dabaris at the Lae Rugby League Oval, with a strong show by both sides, competition top try scorer, Marie Biyama of the Dabaris, secured the win with two (2) tries. The Tiger going down to the Dabaris, 4 – 8.
At the Santos National Football Stadium, the Port Moresby Vipers proved too strong for the visiting Mt. Hagen Eagles, with tries from Ruth Gende, Wendy Josh and Claudia Kaupa and Lilah Malabag finding form with 2 out of 3 conversions.
The Port Moresby Vipers locked in their finals date with a 16 -4 defeat of the Mt. Hagen Eagles.
Queens Park in Rabaul Town hosted the second match that saw the East New Britain Gurias women went up against the Goroka Lahanis. Peggy Ipa and PNG Orchids rising star, Yolanda Taute scoring in the 18th and 26th minute respectively and captain Delailah Ahose making 1 out of 2 conversion attempts.
The Gurias just edged out of a 4th place finals debut 10 -4, with tries from Gurias’ Helen Solomon and penalty goals taken by Nicole Mato and Enid Paniu.
The Mt. Hagen Eagles and the ENB Gurias, now bow out of the 2024 Santos Cup, with the top four teams set to play for a grand final appearance, this Sunday 8th September.
● Central Dabaris (1st place) v Port Moresby Vipers (4th place)
● Lae Snax Tigers (2nd place) v Goroka Lahanis (3rd place)
The Santos Cup Grand Final will be played on Sunday 15th September, ahead of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Grand Final.
Results and standings attached following Round 5 of the 2024 Santos Cup below:
| Pos | Team | Played | Points | Wins | Drawn | Lost | Byes | For | Againts | Diff. |
| 1 | Central Dabaris | 5 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 90 | 24 | 66 |
| 2 | Lae Snax Tigers | 5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 58 | 42 | 16 |
| 3 | Goroka Lahanis | 5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 40 | 14 |
| 4 | Port Moresby Vipers | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 46 | 58 | -12 |
| 5 | Mt. Hagen Eagles | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 54 | 82 | -28 |
| 6 | ENG Guaris | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 78 | -56 |