By Chris McAsey
The PNG Muruks have made history at the Asian Championships, taking out the Div 1 title for the fourth time in a row.
After a hotly-contested day full of momentum swings and high-quality games, the Grand Final was something of an anti-climax, with PNG too strong and skilful for the Vietnam Swans.
It was a tough and tight start before PNG got the scoreboard ticking with an unbroken chain of precise kicking to set up their first goal. A stalemate followed before a brilliant running goal from 50m got the Muruks back into stride.
The Swans hit back quickly to keep in touch, but it was one-way traffic after that, with the Muruks speed and foot skills coming to the fore. The floodgates opened in the second half, with PNG piling on four unanswered goals, including some outstanding running and check side goals.
PHOTO – CAREY_PECK
It was a different story in Round 1, when the Swans pulled off an upset over the Muruks to win 13 – 10. The Swans also had two epic battles against the Indonesia Volcanoes, with the Volcanoes taking the first game 15 – 12 and the Swans hitting back with a tight 6 – 3 win in the second game to qualify for the Grand Final.
PHOTO – CAREY_PECK
The Round 1 Swans v Volcanoes match erupted into a huge melee after a crunching hit on a Volcanoes player. The contest then went up a notch with fierce tackling and pressure around the ball. The Volcanoes withstood the fire and were spurred into action, going on to record a gutsy come-from-behind win.
RD 1
VS 13 – PNG 10
PNG 16 – IV 12
IV 15 – VS 12
PNG 62 – VS 1
PNG 40 – IV 7
VS 6 – IV 3
GF
PNG 41 – VS 7
