Buka stars for Lahanis

By PARKER TAMBUA
A DOUBLE from Goroka Lahanis livewire hooker Charlie Buka helped the Digicel Cup defending champions to a 22–4 win over the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Lahanis will now take on the Wigmen this weekend, after the Hela side beat the Rabaul Gurias 13-4 in the earlier match at the National Football Stadium.
In an error-riddled match, it took a while for the opening try which saw Lahanis forward Kumani Agumagu scoring off a grubber from five-eighth Waren Apaio in the 32nd minute.
Although the Eagles dominated field position in the first half, they couldn’t convert it into points as they went 0-6 at halftime.
The men from Western Highlands responded after the break with their only try through centre Joe Hank in the 51st minute, courtesy of a set move by Mostly Tika and five-eighth Raivea Jonah.
However, it didn’t take long for the defending champions to hit back with a try through centre Joseph Mocke off the back of a penalty conceded by Eagles’ John Kalimba.
The Lahanis extended their lead in the 59th minute with Buka scoring from dummy-half.
With fatigue taking its toll on both teams in the last 15 minutes, there were numerous stoppages due to injury and handling errors.
However, the Bintangor-sponsored franchise put the final nail in the Eagles’ coffin when Buka completed his double in the 74th minuite following an offload from captain Gonzela Urakusie.
Lahanis 22 (Agumagu, Moke, Buka 2 tries; buka 3 cons) Eagles 4 (Hank try)
Results: Sun, Aug 18 – Lahanis 22 Eagles 4, Wigmen 13 Gurias 4.