Dabaris steal Eagles win

By SULI SULI
A LATE Simon Arana penalty goal saved Dabaris from sinking in round 16 of the Digicel Cup on Sunday at the Santos National Football Stadium.
The gutsy 14-13 victory over the visiting Mt Hagen Eagles ensured Dabaris kept their finals hopes alive while maintaining sixth spot on the 12-team ladder.
An emotional coach Steve Gunua told The National that the Central government sponsored-side were still in the hunt for their maiden finals in the country’s premier rugby league competition.
“We’re one step closer to achieving our goal,” Gunua said after the victory.
“It’s being a tough journey this season since my appointment as the coach. I’m grateful with how the team has come this far.”
Skipper Whallen Tau along with forward leaders Goma, Agiru John and Sydney Koi applied constant pressure on the Eagles defence with their explosive runs.
Despite starting slowly and trailing 8-0, the Dabaris lifted their intensity crossing for two converted tries before the Western Highlanders added a four-pointer and a field goal to take a narrow 13-12 lead at halftime.
Former Vipers halfback and Dabaris playmaker, Arana, broke the hearts of Eagles fans when he kicked a penalty goal right on hooter. The midseason recruit converted two tries and a penalty to give the Central men the slimmest of winning margins and keep their finals aspirations alive.
“It was a slow first half but we picked up in the second,” skipper Tau said.
“Credit goes back to the boys for that ‘never give up’ spirit.
“There’s a lot that we need to work on for our last game of the regular season, but a win is a win.
“Our round 17 match against the Enga Mioks is a must-win for us in order to make the finals.
“All in all, I’m super proud of the boys with their efforts, we need to stay humble and hungry. I urge all our families, fans and supporters to come this weekend and get behind the boys,” he said.
Arana said he stoked to have been able to win the game for his side. “It was a special moment as the boys relied on me to get the kick on target,” Arana told The National.
“The wind was quite a challenge, taking the goal from outside 20m but I managed to get the job done.”
The sixth-placed Dabaris will face Mioks (5th) as both teams look to conclude their regular round in a must-win clash for a place in the finals with Vipers (7th) also in the race to secure a spot in the post season.