The OTML schoolboys again did exceptionally well qualifying for the Plate Final for the second year running and were favourites to retain the title but this time were unable to hold out a fast finishing Canberra Grammar School 14-36 after leading at the interval.
The one-day Scots College International Rugby Sevens Tournament is organised by the host school - The Scots College in Sydney and the tournament is now into its fifth year, attracting exciting and high quality rugby school teams from QLD, ACT, VIC, NSW, New Zealand, Singapore and PNG.
The OTML Schoolboys were pitted in Pool A against one of the tournament favourites, Palmerston North Boys High School New Zealand and St Kevins from Melbourne.
To the other teams and the Sydney crowd that turned up to watch, there was great anticipation in the air about the raw talent of the boys from the Star Mountains of Tabubil.
To everyone’s delight, the OTML Schoolboys got off to a great start by winning their opening game against St. Kevins 22-5.
This set the stage for a mouth watering final pool game against PNBHS but the NZ lads had too much class for our boys winning 22-7.
This still ensured the OTML Schoolboys a top two finish in their pool and automatic qualification for one of the Cup quarter finals against a strong Brisbane State High team.
Unfortunately, too many handling errors had Brisbane on the front foot and they ran away with the game 28-5.
This now ensured another tough assignment in the Plate semi-final against Erindale College but the OTML Schoolboys dug deep and turned on the flair and duly entertained the vocal supportive crowd by comfortably winning 38-7 and secured themselves a Plate Final playoff for the second year running.
They opened their account with a handy 12-5 lead at the interval however, costly decisions in attack and lapses in defence allowed Canberra Grammar School to capitalise and deny any hopes the boys from the Star Mountains had in defending the Plate title.
For their Coach, Stephen Malum, their achievement was nothing short of brilliant.
Quietly, we knew we had planned well and put in the hard work over the last 6 months.
The boys are all talented and too see them rise up to the technical standards and expectations that we had set them, we knew we would be competitive.
This is a young team and to experience the disappointment of losing a big game will only make them work harder to do better next time provided the right mentoring and guidance.
Tabubil Rugby spent the last six months fundraising and securing company sponsorships from various supportive business houses in Tabubil, PNG and Australia to ensure that their tour was made possible.
Team Manager, Oala Rarua acknowledged the invaluable support given by companies including Ok Tedi Mining Ltd especially MD & CEO, Nigel Parker as major sponsor and all of their associated sponsors; Downer EDI Mining, TKI Manpower, JTA International, Pacific MMI Insurance, Gazebo Club, Hastings Deering, Hotel Cloudlands.
He also acknowledged the overwhelming and exceptional support given by the Tabubil community as well as the endorsement of their tour by the various rugby governing bodies; New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU), Australian Rugby Union (ARU), Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU) and The Scots College.
The 12-man touring party is made up of dependent children of OTML and most of its contractor employees, including locals from the mine villages.
The full team included Shane Auakai, Lachlan Aruha, Sauto Yokim, Karl Wanjiman, Issachar Kara, Benaiah Kambanei, David Iveho, Daula Ellison, David Iveho, Jim Gissua, and Daniel Akonda.
The OTML schoolboys have drawn a lot of belief and confidence in themselves out of this performance.
They are already looking ahead to other local tournament opportunities in 2014 to further develop their game.
The relationship and partnership between OTML Schoolboys and The Scots College has grown over the past couple of years and is not limited only to rugby but other annual sponsorship education programs to the Scots College for the mine villages’ children and a cross-cultural awareness program for Scots schoolboys’ touring the Star Mountains in conjunction with ANZAC Day in April each year.
Source: Post Courier, Friday 25th April 2014
Link: http://dev.postcourier.com.pg/Stories/otml-schoolboys-qualify/#.U12wgJVkrIU
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