Buria Reds get first win of Southern league season

By JACK AMI
BURIA Reds claimed their first win of the season with a 26-24 victory against Rigo Raiders in the Southern Super League National Gaming Control Board Cup on Friday.
Halfback Morea Heni Jr was named as the man of the match for his two second-half tries in the round-six fixture at Moresby South Stadium.
Reds opened the scoring when Avuru Nou crossed over for an unconverted try 11 minutes in, but Rigo responded with a four-pointer through Edrich Keaike and Vagira Karuhi added the extras for a 6-4 lead.
Sixteen minutes later, Nou bagged his second unconverted try to restore Buria’s lead, but it was short-lived as Rigo’s Thomas Kaikai crossed over to take a 10-8 advantage.
Buria hit back with another unconverted try through Rabuka Saula for a 12-10 lead at the break.
After the break, Heni increased the lead to 16-10 in the 44th minute but Rigo pulled themselves back into the contest with an unconverted try through Paul Galmai six minutes later.
Tries to Uda Rausi and Heni saw Buria take a handy 26-14 lead, but Rigo’s Israel Tony and Karuhi crossed over for a try each to set up a tense finish.
However, Buria held on in the final seven minutes to register their first victory of the inaugural season.
League chairman Bagelo Bernard Solien said Buria deserved the win after they lost their previous matches by close margins.
“They leave everything on the field, regardless of the opposition,” he said.
Meanwhile, Moresby South Blacks host Central Dabaris Development at 10am at Moresby South Stadium today.
Blacks’ Terence Wemin, Joshua Winnie, Brandon Somavi, Andy Tand, Junior Rocky and Frazer Anderson are expected to step up against the visitors.
Senior players Junior Hoki, Michael Yanis and Joe Omaro are likely to come off the bench.
Gorden Negi returns from an ankle injury, but the rake will also come off the bench while Peejay Solien resume his duties on the wing.