Central Dabaris aiming to arrest slide against Muruks

Sports

THE Mendi Muruks, who gave newcomers Kimbe Cutters their first win of the season last week, take on the equally desperate Central Dabaris in their Digicel Cup match on Sunday.
Both franchises are in the bottom half of the ladder heading into the round nine fixture at Joe Keviame Oval in Mendi with the wheels having fallen off the Dabaris season after the termination of their major sponsor a month in their season while the home side, who are second last, have also performed below expectation. Coach Chris Enara’s Central side can take heart from the fact that they are yet to lose a game in the Highlands region after beating the Mioks 24-22 in round three in Wabag thanks to an Allan Simbiri sideline conversion.
The Dabaris are a different side to the one that triumphed at Aipus Oval in April and have struggled without experienced hands Adam Korave, Junior Belo and Simbiri.
But the Muruks themselves have been a disjointed lot despite consistent performances by captain Abel Rami, Steven Mark and David Lapua.
The Muruks will be favoured to pull through at home as the Dabaris have lost their impetus and have failed to score more than 12 points a game over their last four rounds while conceding an average 31.5 points.
The Muruks are coming off a narrow 15-14 loss to the Cutters while the Dabaris were outclassed 38-12 by the Snax Tigers in Lae last week.
A loss by the ninth placed-Dabaris will see the side’s free fall continue while the Muruks have a chance to widen the gap between them and last spot.
Standings: Tigers 15 (150), Gurias 14 (146), Tumbe 13 (49), Isou 10 (-38), Lahanis 8 (48), Eagles 7 (-80), Wigmen 6 (-2), Vipers 6 (-31), Dabaris 6 (-70), Mioks 5 (10), Muruks 4 (-27), Cutters 2 (-155).
Fixtures: Sun, June 2 – Muruks v Dabaris, Vipers v Lahanis, Wigmen v Mioks, Isou v Eagles, Gurias v Cutters, Tigers v Tumbe.