Crocs break hoodoo

 By JACK AMI
GULF Isapea broke a five-year hoodoo with a convincing 24-4 win over the Goroka Lahanis at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Digicel Cup round five fixture saw the Gulf side, who had never beaten the Eastern Highlands franchise in five years, finally record a victory in front of an estimated 3000 fans, some of whom had come from Kerema by the truckload.
Isapea move to equal third on the ladder with the Enga Mioks recording a 24-20 win over the visiting Waghi Tumbe in Wabag.
The Isapea, with a concerted effort in the offseason to pick a competitive squad for the 2016 season, saw the Gulf provincial government and the club management work to that end and the club’s fortunes have improved greatly with the Petroleum Resources Kutubu-sponsored side winning two matches, a draw and loss from their four games to be on seven points.
Former captain and senior squad member Barry Pekaea, pictured, said the club had benefited from the management’s insistence on serious football and making discipline and commitment to the club the cornerstones of the Isapea in 2016.
Club officials from both sides were impressed with the standard and quality of local referee Paul Wani, and his assistants for their consistency and for allowing the game to flow as well as policing rough and dangerous play.
Isapea’s pint size halfback Jephet Holik was named the man-of-the-match with two tries and two conversions. Holik and five-eighth Solomon Pokari combined well to steer the Gulf men around the SHMS.
Lock forward Jack Manda picked up a double in the 6th and 75th minutes while fellow back-rower John Kai bagged himself a four-pointer.
The home side led 10-4  at the break with the visitors’ points coming through a try by captain John Gand – unfortunately they would be the Lahanis only points for the game.
Despite a frustratingly high error count from both sides throughout, the Isapea played the better football with Holik, Pokari and hooker Billy Johnson ensuring the Isapea made the most of their chances in the opposition half.
The Isapea also had to contend with playing a man down for a period in each half after wingers John Bonny and Richard Rauni were sin-binned in each half for dangerous tackles.
The Isapea pack led by Bernard Goma competed on even terms against the Lahanis who had former Kumul and Hunters forward Gonzella Urakusie as well as Gand and Bernard Tatsim Jr while Hunters squad member Philemon Kimisive coming off the bench.
Goroka halves Conroy Matmillo and Joseph Peter failed to get their side going and provide enough direction in their sets despite having an effective back division with centres Brendon Nima and Charlie Oliver and attacking fullback Francis Takai.
Isapea coach Norris Selu attributed the win to the work of his three ball players in Holik, Pokari and reserve half Tope Mitaharo.
Results: Round 5 – Sun, May 15: Isapea 24 Lahanis 4, Tigers 18 Lions, Gurias 26 Vipers 14, Wigmen 26 Muruks 14, Miok 24 Tumbe 20. Bye: Eagles.
Standings:  Gurias 10, Tigers 9, Isapea 7, Mioks 7, Eagles 7, Wigmen 5, Tumbe 5, Lahnis 4, Muruks 3, Vipers 2, Lions 1.