The Papua New Guinea Rugby Union Association went out with a bang of success after hosting its last event in the calendar for the year, the 4th and Southern leg of the Kumul Petroleum Holdings 7s tournament at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in the nation’s capital over the weekend.
There was a total of 16 men’s teams and 8 womens teams that turned up to compete in the tournament; most of which were experienced and seasoned teams but a good number of teams brought inexperienced players with a level of uncharted talent and skill.
Although competition was tough, a number of teams managed to pull through to the finals and walk away with victory on Sunday, December 3rd, which was Finals day.
Winners and Runner Ups for the Bowl for Men and Women:
Bowl RunnerZ Up Women – Blazers
Bowl Winner- Juggernauts
Bowl Runner Up Men- Underdogs
Bowl Winner- Valley Hunters
Winners and Runners up for the Plate for Men and Women:
Plate Runner Up Women- Young Gunz
Plate Winner- Nova
Plate Runner Up Men- Spartans
Plate Winner- Young Gunz
Cup Winners and Runner Ups for Men and Women:
Cup Runner up Women – Bialla Lasima
Cup Winner- Chiefs
Cup Runner Up Men- Chiefs
Cup Winner- Kimbe City Pirates
Chief Executive Officer of PNG Rugby Union Sailosi Druma said the KPHL 7s tournament was specifically facilitated to introduce the rugby union code to players who wanted to experience it and to promote the code.
He added that he was happy with the number of interested teams that brought along with it a pool of unexposed raw talent.
“Alot of these players are not in the national teams and thats basically the whole purpose of having this series.”
“To get the game to alot of kids that dont have an opportunity to play rugby and sevens is a good way to introduce them to the code.”
Meanwhile despite being a new team starting out, the Biala Lasima Ladies gave the Chiefs Women a run for their money in the Women’s Cup grand final unfortunately bowing out of the tournament as runners up with the Chiefs Women claiming the Cup.
And the Kimbe City Pirates put in a vicious fight for the Cup with the Chief’s open men’s team who ended the tournament declared as the Cup Winners of the KPHL Southern Leg 7s.