Butterflies swat Flies to win

 By JACK AMI
IN an evenly-contested affair, Butterflies clipped Hohola Flies 14-10 in Port Moresby Rugby League over the weekend.
The scores for the split round Pool A clash was 10-10 with 10 minutes remaining when a mix-up by Flies fullback Gabby Tauna and winger Franky Tole from a grubber enabled Butterflies Rex Tandoupi to score.
Earlier the Butterflies led 6-0 at halftime, with centre Simon Dawa crossing and Dixie Ani kicking a penalty goal.
Hohola scored two tries in the space of five minutes, both by prop Amoola Aniaso, to hit the front 10-6.
Butterflies equalised, with hooker Ole John darting over out wide.
The Butterflies, led by Josiah Keviame and hooker John, matched Hohola’s Jezreel Roy, Jimmy Kepon, Jeffrey Mark and Israel Viti with some brutal action in the ruck.
Flies had the golden opportunity when the hooter sounded but a wayward pass to winger Jack Paita went over the sideline and their hopes went down the drain.
In the upset of the weekend, West beat competition leaders Hanuabada Hawks 16-12 in a curtain raiser to the Gulf Isapea-Port Moresby Vipers Digiciel Cup fixture at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.
The win was a morale booster for a team eyeing an unlikely top-eight spot.
Results: Flies 14 Butterflies, Paga 16 Magani 12, Storm 26 Souths 18, Brothers 18 Warriors 16, Royals 12 Defence 10.