National Capital District (NCD) Representatives, the Border Storm, have progressed to the Round of Sixteen after winning their Coca Cola Ipatas Cup Elimination Final on Saturday.
The Border Storm, who were granted a wildcard spot in the Eastern Elimination Finals, were too strong for their opponents, Kendal Tarangau, running out 18 – 0 winners in Lae.
Other winners from the Finals included Lae based, 14B Pirates, the Morobe Pride and Eastern Blacks.
The Border Storm were granted a wildcard spot after the NCD and Central legs of the Ipatas Cup were cancelled due to COVID-19.
The eight other finalists for the Round of Sixteen have come from the Western Elimination Finals that were held last week in Kimil.
The Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup was formed by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and Governor Ipatas to provide opportunities for rural and village teams to compete in a national competition and showcase the talent available from those regions.
Starting in the Highlands in 2009, the competition quickly grew to incorporate teams from across the Papua New Guinea mainlands and across New Britain, with a record number of sides taking part in 2020/21.
RESULTS:
NN1 Rabbitohs 16 d. Kainantu Sparks 8
01 Titans 14 l. Northern Pride 34
Morobe Pride 12 d. Naiyo Badgers 4
Gama Bulls 6 l. Kuma Cowboys 18
Eastern Blacks 14 d Anava Rabbitohs 8
Kerex Rangers 10 l. 14B Pirates 20
Lapun Olix Falcons 16 d. Kondo Easts 6
Border Storms 18 d. Kendal Tarangau 0
