Kokomos U16s Tame Tonga
The Kokomos U16s were focused on the championship and knew that Tonga stood between them and a semi final berth. They needed the win in order to continue their QPICC campaign.
Tonga were immediately on the attack and had a crack at the PNG try line but were met by a wall of Kokomos who managed to repel the Tongan raiders. Kokomos’ Ronald Philitoga intercepted the ball but PNG were unable to complete the set.
Tonga were quick to take advantage, cutting through a fractured PNG defensive line to claim the first try of the match but failed to convert.
PNG 0 v Tonga 4
The Kokomos kicked off and Tonga dropped the ball just 2o metres out. The Kokomos were in a prime position to capitalise but Aydhen Herd was pushed over the line just two tackles into the set and let an opportunity go begging.
The game continued to be a bit of a tussle. Both teams demonstrating flashes of brilliance only to succumb to unforced errors. This went on until Bodhi Banister put Jarone Han-Clunn into a hole and cut a swathe through the Tongan defence through to Ryan Oroge, however, in the subsequent play the ball on the line, the opposition reached through the ruck and stripped the ball. Unfortunately, the referee failed to award the appropriate penalty.
The Kokomos shook off the disappointment and before long Josh Paiyo, the recipient of a slick pass from Bodhi Banister, made light work of the opposition defence to score. Jaron Han-Clunn’s kick put the PNG u16 into the lead but this was momentary as Tonga added a converted try as they headed into half time.
PNG 6 v Tonga 10
Kokomos flubbed the kick off and handed possession back to Tonga and as they made there way towards the try line they were handed a gift by the referee in the form of a penalty kick. Tong were sure to make the most of the opportunity and the score was locked up at 6 a piece.
The penalty kick served as a wake up call for the Kokomos. They put their heads down and started to play some smart football. They upped the tempo and started to shift the ball. Aydhen Herd made a break and offloaded to Cruise Ten who scored. Aydhen converted the try he helped to set up.
PNG 12 v Tonga 10
This fired up the Kokomos, they kept up the fast paced attack. Paiyo made the first break offloading to Banister gaining all important metres. This made the way for another break with the ball shifting in quick succession from Cruise Ten, to Banister, on to Ashley Faulkner and Udom Wala and finally into the hands of Ryan Oroge who scored. Herd missed the conversion.
PNG 16 v Tonga 10
Cruise Ten ran a 6o metre individual effort to add to the Kokomos tally. Unfortunately PNG failed to convert a difficult kick from the sideline.
PNG 20 v Tonga 10
The Kokomos u16s had tamed Tonga in their quest for QPICC glory, and in doing so, earning their place in the u16s QPICC Semi Finals.
