Buka try books Lahanis spot in cup finals

The National Sports

By ZACHERY PER
THE Goroka Lahanis earned a finals spot after a 28-16 win over the Port Moresby Vipers in their round 18 Digicel Cup match in Goroka yesterday.
Lahanis secured the win in the 73rd minute with a try to Charlie Buka, who a minute earlier had bombed a certain try under the posts.
The Vipers looked to be the more fitter side as the second half wore on but Buka’s four-pointer broke their spirit.
Lahanis Isaac Patrick was the first to score in the third minute with halfback Nick Hasu converting for a 6-0 lead to the home side.
Lahanis winger Robin Brown scooped up a loose ball and ran 80m to post his side’s second try with Hasu missing the conversion for a 10-0 lead.
The visitors finally got on the board through lock Patrick Morea with No.7 Benton Leme adding the extras for the Vipers to trail 10-6 at half time.
Henganofi MP Robert Atiyafa made a K50,000 presentation to Lahanis that matched Chuave MP and Commerce and Industry Minister Wera Mori’s K50,000 and that of Goroka MP Henry Ame to the Lahanis during the break.
When play resumed, Lahanis’ Brendan Nima scored off a well-worked move for the hosts to push out to a 10-point lead at 16-6.
The capital city men were not about to die wondering throwing the ball around and Kevin Appo providing an assist for centre Spyro Thomas to bag a try to narrow the gap to 10-16.
Lahanis veteran Kamane Amos crossed for a try which five-eighth Robin Soga converted to put Lahanis ahead 22-10.
Morea grabbed his second try to get the Vipers to within a converted try at 22-16 but Buka put the result beyond doubt with his effort.
Chuave MP Mori sponsored Lahanis donated K20 for every Lahanis tackle and MP Atiyafa paid the Lahanis try scorers K1000 each.
Bulolo MP Sam Basil along with his Pangu Party members — Thomas Pelika, William Samb, Robert Agarobe, Renbo Paita, Ame, Mori, Atiyafa and Koni Iguan were special guests at the match.
Pangu gave K1 000 to both sides. Vipers Appo and Morea were given K50 each while Lahanis Nima and Patrick received K50 each.