Clash of the Highlanders

BEMOBILE Cup leaders Mendi Muruks face a tough assignment to maintain their top spot against Simbu Warriors in Kundiawa on Sunday.
Muruks, who travelled up the Highlands  highway earlier in the week, are currently leading the  competition on 11points followed by Gurias (9), Mioks (8) with Vipers (7), Warriors (7), Lahanis (4), Bombers (4) and Kuris (0).
With an 18-15 win over the last year’s losing grand finalist Enga Mioks in Lae last Sunday, the Muruks are looking to repeat the same dose against the Warriors.
However, Warriors’ homeground Dickson oval in Kundiawa has gained a reputation as a burial ground for visiting teams.
They have a 2-0 record so far at home and are determined take down the Muruks in front of a parochial home crowd.
After succumbing 42-6 to the Rabaul Gurias in Kokopo last Sunday, the Warriors are expected to be a completely new proposition on home turf.
Warriors coach John Wamil Gul said the side trained well during the week and were primed for another crowd-pleasing performance and to put last weekend’s big loss behind them.
He said Muruks had the experience and quality but this would not be a barrier for the Warriors.
Muruks’ captain Joseph Omae will be leading the charge with support from Paulus Mondo and Jacky Kuman while backs Joshua Poria, Wesley Benny and Travis Waninara are proven try-scorers.
In the other camp, the Warriors have try-scoring machine Sonny Daing and Tiger Emere, who are expected to combine with five-eighth David Jones to create the opportunities for their wingers Bal Bako and Michael Singapa.
In the engine room, prop and skipper George Baker and backrower Jerry Kutz have the experience and will be backed byBii Kerenga, Toksy Owi and Job Rotinga.
Reliable halfback Willie Guambo and hooker Ben Alphonse have to match the creativity of Muruks’ Stephen Kua and Ate Bina Wabo.
Warriors’ supporters who have displayed exceptional behaviour in the last bemobile Cup matches are expected to turn up in numbers to support the Muruks on Sunday.