PNG Junior PukPuks Scrap past Solomon Islands

Try scorer Johnson Langogo (13) Covering in defence
Photo: ZoomFiji

The Papua New Guinea under 19 junior PukPuks scraped past a valiant Solomon Islands team in Apia, Samoa yesterday, winning 8 points to 5. 

As Oceania Rugby reports Papua New Guinea had the bigger pack and threatened early, what the Solomon Islands team lacked in size they made up for in heart as they repelled everything that was fired at them. As the game wore on the fleet footed Solomon Islands team opened things up in the backs and looked dangerous with their raids. Both teams were guilty of giving ball away too easily, but were tireless in defence, which kept the thrilling game on the edge. 

The Solomon Islanders opened up the scoring after a line out on half way, they won a quick tap and raced it through the hands to pierce the defence and Timo Sanga scored in the left hand corner.

This seemed to fire up the Papua New Guinea team and their forward pack went about the task of turning the tide. The men in green were not about to give up their lead easily and tackled constantly to save their line. After 5 minutes of no go, the Papua New Guinea boys settled for an easy 3 points with a penalty in front through scrum half Kitchani Thomas.

Time was dangerously ticking away and the Papua New Guinea team were after a 5 pointer, on two occasions they turned down kick-able penalties, but their faith was rewarded with a spectacular late try to Johnson Langogo in the left hand corner to pull out in front. With two minutes to go they were ahead 8-5, but the drama was not quite over yet. The Solomon Islands boys attacked once more and moved into Papua New Guinea's half, they retained ball and moved with speed, which drew them a penalty. The kick was taken but sadly for them drifted left to the relief of Papua New Guinea; today they used their get out of jail card big time and ensured PNG a place in the Third place play off. 

PNG will now play American Samoa, who picked themselves up from two crushing defeats at the hands of Samoa and PNG to beat Vanuatu 17 points to 10. The winner of this match will take out third place at the championship, with the PukPuks favourites to win.

Tonga and Samoa will battle it out for the top spot. The Tongan's go into the match with a confidence boosting win of 20 points to 5 over Samoa in their last pool match. The defending Champions Samoa will be sure to lift their game for this encounter. 

In the battle for fifth and sixth will be the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Here are the Finals Schedule

06-12-2012	1:00pm	Vanuatu v Solomon Islands	Apia Park, Samoa
06-12-2012	2:30pm	American Samoa  v Papua New Guinea	Apia Park, Samoa
06-12-2012	4:15pm	Samoa v Tonga	Apia Park, Samoa

All other Updates and results can be found on the FORU Official website