| Sports |
Raiders respect next challenger
By MUSARIKE ANANGAI
The Wari Vele Raiders concede that the Bintagor Lahanis have set
the bench mark so far this season and predict a torrid affair when
the only two unbeaten sides in the SP Cup clash in Goroka on
Sunday.
After four rounds the Raiders lead the competition on eight points
while the Lahanis are next with seven.
Raiders coach Richard Wagambie said yesterday there are a lot of
very good players in the current Lahanis team who will surely test
the Raiders.
The Lahanis have racked up high scores at home beating the Mioks
(40-16), Bombers (32-12) and drew with the Bulldogs (26-26).
Despite being concerned with the Lahanis imposing home record and
his team’s appalling error rate in the last three weeks, Wagambie
still believes his side is capable of getting the two points.
Unfortunately winger Leroy Muriki (shoulder) has joined Nixon Kolo
and fullback Emmanuel Uki on the injury list.
Wagambie may move Gimapau Keimelo (returned from injury last week)
into the centres and shift either Jerard Haoda or Rodney Kipa to
the wing.
The Bulldogs will be missing form fullback Burau Burau (illness),
and injured pair centre Lazen Marabe and forward Roy Tela when
they clash with the Bombers in Port Moresby on Sunday.
Coach Chris Enara said yesterday his team lost last week to the
Gurias because of lapses in defense and poor ball control,
something they have worked on to minimize.
Likely line up: Joshua Poria, Elizah Riyong, Kevin Frank, Charles
Onguglo, Joshua Lapa, Jessie Joe, Geno Kima, Thomas Ninkama,
Benjamin John, Aaron Mulunga, Suckling Danage, Vali Kapa, Johnson
Kuike. Res: Simon Tonge, Kelly Tambua, Steven Johns, Andrew Mckiwa
and Brian Apo.
Their opponents the Bombers are confident of causing an upset at
the Lloyd Robson oval where both home teams the Bulldogs and the
Raiders are yet to lose.
The Bombers have registered four points so far with a victory and
a bye in the last two weeks.
“We’ve learnt a lot from our first two games (which they lost), we
are a better side now than in the past”, coach Boga Tau said from
Lae yesterday.
The starting 13 is the same as those that beat the Gurias with the
exception of second rower Donald Akisaro (injured), replaced by
Jerry Kutz.
Returning from injury to the bench are Jonah Mackay and Leonard
Otmar and new recruit from Goroka Adam Bill.
Both Enara and Tau have appealed to spectators to enjoy the game
and respect the outcome.
Other matches around the country will see the Mioks host the
Gurias while the Eagles travel to Kundiawa to play the Warriors.
 
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