Raiders keen to continue the roll
By MUSARIKE ANANGAI
The Wari Vele Raiders are not too
concerned with their opposition opting to concentrate more on
their own game ahead of their third round SP Cup clash with the
Mabey & Johnson Muruks in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The Raiders have made a good start registering four points from a
bye and a victory over the Eagles last week while the defending
champions have lost to the Bulldogs and beaten the Mioks.
Raiders coach Richard Wagambie said yesterday that it did not
matter who their opposition was so long as his team did the things
that enabled them to be in a position to win.
"We have to do the right things to control the level of turn over,
that's been our main concern in the trials and last week", he
said.
He added that his team fared very poorly during the first half
against the Eagles with about 14 turnovers that saw them trail
12-14 at the break but a reduction of only six turnovers enabled
them to win the second half 14-2 and eventually the match 26-16.
Wagambie is not likely to make any changes opting to stick with
the side that won last week.
The unbeaten Brian Bell Bulldogs will play their first away match
when they travel to Goroka to play the Bintagor Lahanis, who also
are yet to lose.
The Bulldogs have beaten the Muruks and Warriors while the Lahanis
overcame the Gurias and the Bombers.
Both teams lead the competition with the Raiders.
Bulldogs coach Chris Enara has not been surprised with the good
start adding that his senior players must step up for this all
important clash.
"Training and build up has been really good and that we clearly
believed during the preseason that we were going to be one of the
better sides", he added.
A couple of changes to the side that beat the Warriors last week
will see Charles Onguglo replacing Elizah Ryong on the wing while
Geno Kima will come in at halfback for Brian Apo who moves back to
the bench.
In the forwards Kelly Tambua will replace the injured Steven Johns
on the bench.
In the other SP Cup matches, The Mioks will host the Warriors
while the Gurias travel to Lae to take on the Bombers. The Besta
Eagles have the bye.
