Tuesday June 26, 2007

Long way to final raid

By DAVID KAPI
WARI Vele Raiders were told not to be carried away after their close 24-22 win over Besta Eagles at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The Raiders-Eagles fixture was the main game of the double-header staged in Port Moresby on the weekend. The other game was between Pagini Warriors and Brian Bell Bulldogs which the former won.
Raiders coach Richard Wagambie said that his players needed to tighten up certain areas of play, cut down on fundamental errors and execute the game plan well in order to taste the maiden semi-professional rugby league grand final.
Wagambie said the players must train hard during the training and execute whatever they learnt during the game.
The former Kumuls centre gave instances where unforced errors in crucial moments of the game had cost them games. He gave an example where the Eagles unfortunate fumble by hooker Samuel Kiap in the dying second could have turned the game in the visitors' favour.
Wagambie said Raiders main focus during the past two months was on ball handling and tightening up holes in defence, and will repeat it throughout the remaining games before finals.
He paid tribute and gave credit to his players for their effort which enabled the Raiders to sit on second spot. There are seven more games before finals in August.
"I keep telling my players that little things count in crucial matches so don't get carried away but cut down on mistakes and the rest will take care of itself," said Wagambie.
The Raiders will have to beat the rejuvenated Mururks in Madang this weekend to prove their worth as contenders and not pretenders.
 

Journey to Paradise

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