Helas on a roll, Lae eye Vipers

The National Sports

THE Hela Wigmen take on the Goroka Lahanis in round 10 of the Digicel Cup on Sunday looking to maintain their momentum after their 16-10 win over the competition leaders, and defending premiers, the Lae Tigers last week.
The third-placed Helas have a 5-3 record with one draw, after nine games and made their biggest statement of the season last Sunday in Lae where they out-enthused the Tigers in their own backyard.
The win was payback for their 20-16 loss to the Tigers back in round two in Port Moresby.
The Wigmen, who are based in the nation’s capital, have been inconsistent this season with losses to the Enga Mioks (24-4) in round seven and Mendi Muruks (8-6) in round eight followed by last week’s upset of the title favourites.
Despite their hot and cold form, the Hela side, under the astute Roderick Puname as coach, would fancy their chances of a top-two finish, and even a shot at the minor premiership having proven they can win on the road and at home.
The danger is that the Lahanis, who are themselves coming off a 20-8 win over the Gurias in Goroka, have the potential to upset the Wigmen even though the Helas, led by Hunters recruit William Mone at five-eighth, hard-running fullback Junior Rau and the skillful Standford Talita and bash-crash merchant David Lapua in the centres along with boom prop McKenzie Yei, are expected to beat the Lahanis.
The Eastern Highlanders have their own big names in ex-Hunters Gonzella Urakusie and Eddie Dafa as well as lock Bernard Tatsim.
In the other Digicel Cup fixture at the National Football Stadium, the Tigers take on the lowly Port Moresby Vipers.
After losing to the Wigmen last week the defending champions are expected to take their frustrations out on the hapless city snakes in the curtain raiser to the Q-Cup fixture between the Hunters and the Mackay Cutters.
Standings: Tigers 14, Muruks 12, Wigmen 11, Gurias 11, Mioks 10, Lahanis 8, Tumbe 6, Vipers 0.
Rd 10 fixtures: Sun, July 23 – Vipers v Tigers, Wigmen v Lahanis, Gurias v Tumbe, Mioks v Muruks.