| Sports |
Dogs end Gurias winning streak
By MUSARIKE ANANGAI
The Brian Bell Bulldogs ended the Agmark Gurias five-match winning
streak by building up an unassailable lead then withstood a late
challenge to win 28-18 in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Bulldogs outscored their opponents five tries to three and
jumped to second spot on the points table.
In the earlier match at the Lloyd Robson oval, the Warriors proved
too classy for the Raiders 30-20 while elsewhere the Muruks
overcame the Eagles 30-14 in Lae and the Mioks forfeited the
Lahanis in Wabag.
The Gurias were their own worst enemies’ at times squandering
opportunities when in good field territory.
Roy Tela, Aaron Mulunga and Johnson Kuike led the Bulldogs
forwards while Channel Aquila, George Baker and Rodney Pora were
strong for the Gurias.
The Bulldogs had the better of early play making use of it as
Mulunga showed more urgency than the Gurias defence pouncing on a
Brian Apo grubber in goal for a 6-0 lead after Emmanuel Palme’s
conversion.
Another Palme penalty had the Bulldogs up 8-0 after James Soatsin
was deemed to have grabbed Apo by the collar 29m out from the try
line.
Man of the match Benjamin John kicked a superb 40/20 (23rd), then
from the ensuing scrum centre Lazen Marabe created an overlap for
fullback Joshua Poria to score in the corner and take a 12-0 lead
into half-time.
Immediately into the second half, Apo collected a kick deflection
to stroll over with Palme adding the extras for an 18-0 lead.
Lazen Marabe and Joshua Lapa’s constant pampering of the Gurias
left side defence eventually proved fruitful from the restart as
another break had the Bulldogs in good field territory, then on
the last play, Lapa chipped and the ball bounced favorably for
Marabe racing through.
Palme made no mistake extending the score line to 24-0.
Gurias hooker Opisa Pomba sneaked over from dummy half, but his
opposite John did likewise to leave the scores at 28-6.
The Gurias scored two converted tries in the last 15 minutes to
make the score line more respectable, first Sibiya sliced through
from close range then Abraham Henao scored off a short inside pass
from Pomba.
Bulldogs pair Kevin Frank and Poria were sin binned for separate
offences in the second half.
The table has become congested at the top after round 13 with the
Lahanis on 19 points, Bulldogs (17), Gurias, Raiders, Mioks (16),
Muruks (15), Bombers (10), Eagles (8) and Warriors (5).
 
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