Cutters hail progress

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE Kimbe Cutters say they have made strides in their second Digicel Cup season despite losing 14-26 to defending champions and hosts Tigers in Lae on Sunday.
Cutters head coach Jessie Alunga told The National yesterday that the team had learned a lot from their round-six clash with the ladder leaders.
“I’m happy with the result because I was expecting a bigger score line between the two sides,” he said after the Lae Rugby League Ground match.
“So I have to praise my men for a great effort.
“We did well but the Tigers had the advantage with their bigger men and experience.
“We didn’t control the ruck enough which allowed them to dominate.
“My forwards Steven Bruno, Alex Ramangio and Alex Rova did well.
“Among my backs, five-eighth Justin Yoka and halfback Tony Ponda played well alongside captain Jah Hogan and centre Benjamin Kot.”
Meanwhile, the former Rabaul Gurias back commended one-time SP Hunters forward Joe Bruno for assisting the Cutters as a trainer.
“Bruno’s experience as a Hunters trainer has certainly given the side a boost,” Alunga said of his seventh-placed Cutters.
“He has brought a lot of experience and knowledge into the team which has enabled us to be competitive in the Digicel Cup.”
The Cutters have recorded two wins, three losses and a draw after six rounds of the country’s premier rugby league competition. Alunga’s men face cellar dwellers Mt Hagen Eagles in round seven at the Lae Rugby League Ground in the Morobe capital on Sunday (1.15pm kick-off).