Champs shine

 By JACK AMI

THE Agmark Rabaul Gurias are on song, scoring an impressive Digicel Cup second round 18-6 win over the Stop N Shop Port Moresby Vipers at the Lloyd Robson Oval yesterday.

The Gurias remain unbeaten after round two with the Enga Mioks, who tamed the PRK Mendi Muruks 26-4. 

The Bintangor Goroka Lahanis escaped the clutches of the Kemele Hela Wigmen 12-10, the Snax Lae Tigers routed TNA Simbu Lions 50- 12 and the Mount Hagen Eagles registered their first win over the PRK Prima Gulf Isapea 32-4.

That leaves the Mioks, Tigers, Gu­rias and Lahanis all with four points from two wins, while the Eagles and Vipers have two each and the Muruks, Lions, Wigmen and Isapea yet to register a win.

The Digicel Cup defending champions had to work overtime in the final quarter to frustrate the highly financed capital city franchise. 

It was a scrappy affair as dropped balls were the order of the day. 

The Vipers losing on home turf means other visiting teams can nail them if they are not careful.

The Gurias, who were penalised 13-8, by Port Moresby-based referee Guma Opi, scored converted tries in the 68th minute to fullback Albert Patak with a 30m dash and a 74th minute touchdown to interchange forward Kevin Frank.

Fullback Ase Boas added the extras on a soft and wet pitch. 

Patak’s try was the side’s lifeline as it boosted morale and added the extra firepower to win.

Vipers’ big guns like captain Larsen Marape, hooker Charlie Wabo, lock Sebastian Pandia and backs Josiah Abavu, Richard Kambo and Michael Mark all had quiet games.

Gurias prop Mark Mexico, Joe Bruno, raker Wartovo Puara Jnr, Boas, Patak, five-eighth Dion Aiye combined effectively.

There was not enough fire power from both sides in the first 40 minutes as silly errors marked their play.