University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Medics are the 2011 Vice Chancellor’s Cup Rugby League Challenge winners.
The Medical Faculty team proved too strong for University of Goroka (UoG) Nokondis, winning 12-10 in the competition’s grand final match on Friday at the University of Natural Resources & Environment (UNRE) in East New Britain.
The match was evenly contested in the initial stages with Nokondis scoring the first try of the game and hitting hard with their tackles but Medics remained focused on their game plan and moved swiftly to find gaps in their opponent’s defence and score.
After establishing a lead, Medics put up a strong defence, holding back the Nokondis from scoring until the full time whistle was blown. All the tries of the game were scored in the first half.
Four Government universities participated in the challenge - UPNG, UoG, UNRE and University of Technology in Lae, which also sent a team under the banner of its Timber Forestry Training College.
Since the weeklong competition began last Monday, the Medics team displayed confidence, focus, team spirit and fair play in all their games, making their eventual victory fitting.
UNRE Vice Chancellor Professor Philip Siaguru in his remarks at the presentation ceremony, encouraged students to remain focused on the objective and aim of what they chose to undertake in life.
He said with total commitment, one will always end with positive results. The Vice Chancellor reminded students that in sports only one team wins but winning was not everything.
He said the VC’s Cup Challenge was meant for students to meet, share, learn from each other and know each other, adding it was an opportunity for students to travel to experience and to see and learn about new things.
Professor Siaguru’s speech was delivered by UNRE planning officer Michael Opi on his behalf.
Event coordinator Molly Geno thanked Professor Siaguru and the UNRE administration for allowing UNRE to host the VC’s Cup meet.
She said all universities would be given the opportunity host sports tournament. Commending the clean and peaceful environment and accommodation, she said many of the visiting students were surprised to see that UNRE is not fenced like their institutions. Mrs Geno also officially announced that UNRE will host the PNG University games next year.
She thanked Digicel for its continuous support as the major sponsor in the 2010 PNG University games and 2011 VC’s Cup Challenge.
