In an extra time thrilling Morobe Rugby Union (MRU) Premier Grade Grand Final showdown, the Irok Pirates have pulled off a gutsy 21-16 victory over the star-studded Consort Royals on Saturday, October 5th, at Lae Scrum Oval.
The Pirates have had an outstanding season, winning twelve games, recording two draws, and staying undefeated in the competition. They maintained their impressive run from the regular season to the big dance and walked away with the envied title for the second time after 32 years.
After the formation of the club in 1991, the Pirates won their maiden premiership that year. Following that success, the club struggled to crack the decider, although they’ve shown signs of improvement over the years.
However, 2024 was a defining moment for the freebooters. They came with a purpose this season and accomplished their mission, winning the MRU competition for the second time and ending their 32-year premiership hoodoo.
Like any decider, the pressure would reach the rafters as the grand finalists lock heads and battle for supremacy. This was no difference between the Pirates and Royals who had one task, and that was to claim the bragging rights.
The Lae Scrum Oval came to life in the early proceedings as the mad supporters for both teams screamed at the top of their lungs and ignited the fuse in the players, hyping the 30 strong warriors to respond to the energy and give the fans what they wanted.
An intense and physical battle in the first half left the fans on the edge of their seats, with the Royals taking a one-point lead (10-9) over the Pirates. The players left everything on the pitch in the first 40 minutes of the tug-of-war exchange.
The second spell was a different ball game as both sides found their groove and upped the tempo of the match, finishing the exhilarating contest in a 16 points apiece cliffhanger. An extra time was given and the Pirates scored a match-winner to clinch the prized silverware with a 21-16 margin.
Coach Greg Golman expressed satisfaction with the result, mentioning that it was a hard-fought victory and praised his players for showing the fighting spirit until the full time siren.
“I’m proud of the energy and performance of the boys. Their resilience and hard work throughout the season has brought them this far to explore new opportunities to learn and improve their knowledge in rugby union,” Golman stated.
“To be honest, the momentum was on our side and we were dominating all aspects of the game, but our minor errors allowed the Royals to enter our half, which they capitalized and kicked penalties, as well as scoring tries.
“Both teams were a bit complacent in the second half. The Royals extended their lead and were about to seal the deal, but the boys (Pirates) had to fight their way back into the contest and sent the game into the extra time.
“A quick thinking from Rainut Numme with a quick tap caught the Royals off guard, which saw Numme score the game winning try. I’m extremely proud of the team’s performance.”
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