Great Start to PNG's SP Cup Competition

[Rus13]

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/sport/stories/s1898316.htm


Rugby League: Big crowds and visiting international open SP Cup

The Papua New Guinea Rugby League had a big start to it's semi professional national competition, the SP Cup.

Crowd numbers where up at all four games and international, Marcus Bai made a surprise visit to Kokopo to see the home side the Lahanis triumph 28-18 over the Guria.

In Port Moresby the premiers didn't start well.. the Bulldogs defeated on home soil 17-12 by the Muruks.

In Lae, the Warriors proved too strong from the Bombers running away 30 points to 12.

And in the Highlands, the Mioks took on the new franchise team from the Western Highlands, fought out to a seven-all draw.

PNG League manager, Jeff Wade says the low score indicates a torrid encounter.

"Knowing the traditional rivalry, between the Engans and the Western Highlanders, it would have been a torrid affair and both teams would have been happy to come away with a draw," Wade said.


16/04/2007 | Radio Australia Sport

 

[I_LUV_AFL]

I didn't know the crowds in PNG could improve. They cram those rugby league grounds with that many people it isn't funny. I would put them as the mpst passionate fans of any sport in any country.

Has anyone got any PNG RL stories?

I have one of where several newsagents were broken into the night before the State of Origin and only the newspapers were being stolen, everything else was left alone. The reason: The newspapers had State of Origin features in them and were being sold for up to and inculding the average weeks wage in PNG.

I've also heard stories of people trekking along the Kokoda Trail for days to watch the Kumuls play............ and then be locked out hours before the game due to the capacity being breached.