Buka scores winner for Lahanis against Hela

GOROKA Lahanis hooker Charlie Buka’s try in the 73rd minute of their crucial round 17 Digicel Cup clash against fellow final hopefuls Hela Wigmen proved to be the match winner in their 16-12 win at the National Football Stadium yesterday.
The loss likely extinguished the Wigmen’s top-five hopes with the Hela side to play the second-placed Waghi Tumbe in the final match of the regular season next week.
The Lahanis host the Port Moresby Vipers in the Eastern Highlands provincial capital and given their record at home, the Nokondis are a shoo-in to claim the fifth spot.
Lahanis coach Umba Peter was satisfied with the performance but happy with the fact that his side stepped up to the challenge and beaten a finals contender away from home.
He said their second half effort was the key to their win particularly with the fewer mistakes they made in the second 40 minutes.
“It was a hard game,” Peter said.
“Our boys did not do too well in the first half but I’m happy we had a better effort in the second half especially cutting down on the number of mistakes.”
The Wigmen scored the first try through centre and captain Melvin Paul but the Lahanis hit back with a pair of four-pointers to Pasu Awani and Brendon Nima.
The last five minutes of the first half saw Paul bag his second to level the scores at 10-10.
The Wigmen edged 12-10 in front via a Stanley Olo penalty early in the second half.
The defensive effort from both sides cancelled each other out for most of the half until Buka’s try which demoralised the Wigmen.
Hela Wigmen 10 (Melvin Paul 2 tries; Stanley Olo con, pen) Goroka Lahanis 16 (Brendon Nima, Pasu Awani, Charlie Buka tries; Nick Hasu 2 con).