| Sports |
Raiders taste first loss at home soil
By MUSARIKE ANANGAI
The Wari Vele Raiders
succumbed to their first season loss on home soil going down by
14 points to the LBC Bombers in a tough but scrappy mistake
riddled match that at times threatened to get out of hand.
The Bombers scored three tries in the first half then added
another against the run of play close to fulltime for a 20-6
victory at the Lloyd Robson oval in Port Moresby yesterday.
In the other matches around the country the Lahanis maintain top
spot with a 16-8 victory over the Muruks in Madang, the Bulldogs
edged the Mioks 18-14 in Mount. Hagen while the Gurias beat the
Eagles 23-14 in Kokopo.
In Port Moresby Raiders fullback Leo Chris and Bombers second
rower Jerry Kutz spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for exchanging
punches in the second half, then Chris was involved in another
exchange with Bombers hardman Cedric Belo close to fulltime.
Belo’s rampaging runs were hard to contain and a few of the
Raiders players came out second best after running into him in
attack early in the first half.
Man of the match Dusty Mockly and captain John Milba led from
the front while centre Eki Ene and elusive fullback Benson Joel
looked dangerous every time they had the football.
Raiders prop Nixon Kolo proved handful for the defense at times
while second rower Philip Kumyie and substitute Andrew Norman
picked up from where injured ‘tackling machine’ Jackie Kuman
left off with some good hits.
The Raiders were first to get on the board through a Rodney Kipa
penalty after the five-eight was brought down chasing a chip
kick close to the Bombers line after 15 minutes.
The Bombers looked more cohesive with the injection of
substitute playmaker Randal Kaupa who had an immediate impact
providing a short pass for Milba to reach out and score the
first try.
Leading 6-2, Raiders substitute Albert Johns made the mistake of
rushing out in defense close to the line as Kaupa easily brushed
him off, dummied and crossed for the Bombers second try.
Right on halftime winger Russ Kaupa Jr. pounced on a Ene grubber
inches from the in goal touch line as the Bombers took a 14-2
lead into halftime.
The Raiders made a brief comeback midway through the second half
when Gimapau Keimelo finished off a movement involving Kolo,
Wilfred Henry and Kawage Gagma.
Down 6-14 the Raiders tried in vain to grab a comeback victory
as Kaupa Jr. intercepted a Jared Haoda pass and raced 40metres
to seal the win with his second try.
After round seven Lahanis (13), Bulldogs (11), Raiders (10)
Muruks (8), Warriors (7), Bombers, Gurias (6) and Eagles (4).
 
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