| Sports |
Shake down for Mt Hagen Eagles
PLAYER-coach Michael Marum inspired
Agmark Gurias to a 23-14 victory over Besta Hagen Eagles at
Kalabond field yesterday at Kokopo, East New Britain.
Marum with the support of old hands Lucas Solbat, Chris Purkikil
and Jessie Alunga led the boys by example to beat the Western
Highlanders.
The Gurias coach said he had decided to involve old players in
this game as the team was still lacking the "language of the
game" with the new players, and still had to maintain good
communication.
The Kalabond field came alive as the Western Highlanders put the
Tolais to the test. Gurias were the first to draw blood in the
opening minutes as Benson Kanini set p Obert Ondole for a try.
Hagen Eagles replied as Dai Tukumbe soared in for a try. Drop
balls frustrated the players as they failed to complete there
sets of six.
Gurias though, led by old players, exhibited a more constructive
football to see them scoring two converted tries to lead.
Hagen capitalised on a penalty and Tion Naia slotted in two easy
points. Sensing danger the cool-headed Alunga potted a field
goal from 30 metres out to make Hagen Eagles' task harder,
bringing the half time score to 17-8.
The second half saw a promising chip chase from the Eagles, but
this was foiled by a try-saving tackle by the man-of-the-match
Ricky Sibiya two metres from the tryline.
The Gurias sensed that the pressure was on and sent Purkikil in
for his second converted try of the match after good ball-work
up the wing side.
The Hagen's next try showed a glimpse of majic as the hard
running forwards carved up the middle of the Gurias, passing the
ball through four pairs of hands before sending Tion Naia in
next to the uprights. He successfully converted his own try.
This ignited a comeback surge by the Eagles but ball handling
errors denied them of any further points as the Gurias cruised
to victory with a full time score of 23-14 over the visitors.
 
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