The Digicel Cup finals start this weekend.
Mendi Muruks won the Minor Premiership.
PNGNRLC congratulates Muruks, set for finals series
August 31, 2022The NationalSports
By LARRY ANDREW
PAPUA New Guinea National Rugby League Competition manager Ora Gairo has congratulated frontrunners Mendi Muruks on their minor premiership-winning campaign in the Digicel Cup regular season.
The Petroleum Resources Kutubu-sponsored side received the Don Fox Memorial Shield after finishing last weekend’s final round with one more win than second-placed Rabaul Gurias and Hela Wigmen.
He said the Muruks had done well to claim the shield from reigning minor premiers Lae Tigers, who finished the 17-round regular season in fourth spot on the 12-team ladder.
The Muruks and Gurias are on a bye this weekend while the Wigmen face Enga Mioks (1pm kick-off) and the Tigers battle Central Dabaris (3.30pm) in elimination matches in Port Moresby on Sunday. Both matches will be played at the Santos National Football Stadium.
“The Muruks finished with 28 points after their win (over Gulf Isou),” Gairo said after the end of the regular season on Sunday.
“The Gurias finished in second spot with 26 points after their win (over Mt Hagen Eagles).
“It has been a long season compared with the past two campaigns in which teams played 11 rounds of the regular season and the month-long finals. But this year, the season was longer with 17 regular rounds and four weeks of finals for a total of 21 weeks.” Gairo said Port Moresby would host this year’s finals, but the arrangement may change in the future, pending the outcome of board discussions and the availability of venues capable of hosting big matches.
He said Lae would be the frontrunner if other centres were to be considered as possible hosts.
