The Sanso Royals (PRL Champions) have booked their spot in the upcoming National Club Championship following their gallant 18-16 triumph over the Buria Reds (Motu-Koita Champions) in the Southern Confederate Club Championship Grand Final on Sunday, November 17th, 2024, at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
Six Premiers or Champions of the PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) sanctioned competitions in the National Capital District and Central Province have converged over the weekend during the Southern Confederate Club Championship to fight for a spot in the National Club Championship.
Four teams that bowed out of the race were Manunuha Tigers (Tubusereia Champions), Woodmen of Kagua (North-West Champions), Gulf Isou Pathway (Moresby South Champions), and NML UPNG (UPNG Champions), whereas Sanso Royals and Buria Reds advanced to the big dance, and the men in blue edged the Buria Reds to become the Champions of the Southern Confederate, ultimately earning a spot in the National Club Championship.
Aiming to represent the Southern Confederate in the forthcoming National Championship, the Sanso Royals and Buria Reds had one task to accomplish, which was to win the Club Championship and secure a ticket to the National Championship. Having that in mind, both teams put their bodies on the line, competing tenaciously and courageously.
In a high-stakes game, the first half kicked off with a physical confrontation. After almost 15 minutes into the contest, the Buria Reds executed a sleek second-man play and scored the first try. Some 10 minutes later, the Royals responded with a 4-pointer, and with a minute left before the half time, the men in red scored their second try to take a 10-4 lead.
The tug-of-war continued into the second half as both sides fought for field position and ball possession. The Papa-lealea lads extended their lead in the second spell with another try. Unfazed by the lead, the Royals regrouped and bagged two tries to upset the Buria Reds, claiming the Southern Confederate Club Championship with an 18-16 grandstand finish.
The Port Moresby Rugby League Premiers and Southern Confederate Champions, Sanso Royals, will now represent the Southern Region to compete in the National Club Championship, which will kick off in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.
Coordinator of Southern Confederate, Gimapau Keimelo expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the two-day Southern Confederate Club Championship and wished the Sanso Royals the best of luck as they look forward to representing the Southern Region in the National Club Championship.
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