
Talai Spartans Rugby League Club showed no mercy for the youthful Baruni Development Club by belting them with a 46-10 win in the second game of the inaugural edition of the Rigo Rice Cup playoffs at Bava Park on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025.
The Baruni development side were the first to register points on the scoreboard through winger Maidickson Mausi in the 3rd minute of the match, and Mausi escaped from a 60-meter intercept to score under the goalposts of the Spartans.
Four minutes later, the Talai Spartans’ right-edge winger Api Alex drove through the Baruni defenders to score for the Spartans and Mausi escaped from his second intercept to score for the Baruni side.
Former Port Moresby Vipers and current Central Dabaris squad member Simon Kaman put an easy try on the right edge of the Baruni’s try line. Following Kaman’s try, the Spartans reserve forward Michael Kiki scored an untouched try after a sneaky short pass from five-eight Jeffery Tambalua.
McQueen Wangen also scored a similar try to Kiki’s through a short pass from half-back Andy Tand. To conclude the first 35 minutes of the match, the Enga Mioks debutante Junior Wale scored for the Talai Spartans 2 minutes before half-time.
The boys from Moresby South District opened the second half of the playoffs with a try through second rower Junior Mene. The Spartans kept the Baruni development side scoreless in the second half of the match with a solid defense and hard hit-ups.
The Spartans' forward pack proved too strong for the Baruni development side’s defense, where the Spartans duo Kitsy and Pimo Jack scored in the remaining minutes before the full-time siren.
The Talai Spartans will now advance to the semi-final of the Rigo Rice Cup second leg this weekend at Bava Park.
Spartans coach Max Mandalo was impressed with the performance of his boys and thanked the Moresby South MP Honorable Justin Tkatchenko for supporting the Spartans to take part in the competition.
“They play with all their hearts. Despite not having enough time to prepare for the playoffs, my boys stuck to the game plan,” the coach said.
“I would also like to thank our local MP and action MP for Moresby South Hon. Justin Tkatchenko for supporting us and creating an opportunity to participate in the Rigo Rice Cup.”
Meanwhile, the Talai Spartans will be having a difficult time in the semi-final and preliminary final, since the JT Super 9s will be starting shortly. As one of the existing clubs in the Moresby South Rugby Football League, the Spartans will be participating in the JT Super 9s tournament.
PC: Wepio Media Agency
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