Vipers out to extend winning streak in Minj

THE Port Moresby Vipers are looking to continue their great form on Sunday when they face the Waghi Tumbe in their round 10 Digicel Cup match at the Minj Rugby League field.
Coming off four consecutive wins, the Vipers are having their best season since 2013 when they won the title.
Coach Joe Sipa knows they can win in Jiwaka because they did just that in round 4 when they beat the Chimbu Warriors 30-24 at the same venue.
Sipa said the team would travel tomorrow and take part in some community awareness programmes in Minj.
Sipa said his side had built up good form with six wins from their last seven games and would not be daunted with the prospect of facing the third-placed Tumbe on their home turf.
“Hopefully we get some support from the locals like we did the last time we played in Minj but we’re confident we have the players and the game plan to do well in this game,” Sipa said.
The Vipers, who are on fourth place, have posted wins over top oposition including ladder leaders the Enga Mioks and defending champions the Lae Tigers and have a good mix of young talent in halfback Benton Leme, centre Shane Haro and forward Kennedy Ben complemented by the veterans in Atte Bina Wabo at five-eighth and lock Larsen Marabe and crafty hooker Supa George.
The Vipers also have a score to settle with the Tumbe who upset them 26-12 in the round 1 in Port Moresby.
The hosts, meanwhile, have an aggressive pack led by former Kumul Henry Wan and captained by the dynamic Sipa Korken.
The Vipers have made one crucial change for the clash with captain Nicko Dom moving back to the second-row from the centres while McKenzie Buka will start in the No.6 jersey.
Round 10 Fixtures: Sun, June 10 – Enga Mioks v Goroka Lahanis, Waghi Tumbe v Port Moresby Vipers, Hela Wigmen v Mendi Muruks, Lae Tigers v Gulf Isou, Chimbu Warriors v Agmark Gurias.