Defensive effort helps Lahanis to victory

A GRITTY defensive effort by the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis in the final quarter against the NCDC Port Moresby Vipers saw them claim a 20-18 win yesterday.
The reigning Digicel Cup champions had to withstand a fired up Vipers side in their round nine clash after coming back to take the lead midway through the second half at the National Football Stadium.
The Vipers dominated territory and possession but could not convert them to points with bad options and poor handling in the Lahanis’ half, costing coach Steve Gunua’s side any chance of making up for last week’s disappointing loss to the PRK Gulf Isou.
Lahanis fullback Jah Hogen, who was named man-of-the-match, had another good day at the office with the diminutive No.1 accumulating high running metres through his kick returns and proved a handful every time he took on the line.
The midday game, the first of the day’s triple header, was played in hot conditions but strangely enough it was the Lahanis who shot out to a 10-0 lead; thanks to their better use of the ball.
Hooker and captain Charlie Buka crossed in the second minute and winger Sefa Dait helped himself to a four-pointer in the 10th minute.
The home side finally got their act together in the 25th minute through a try to halfback Karis Peter with No.9 Robin Soga slotting the conversion for his side to trail 10-6.
But the Eastern Highlanders extended their lead to 14-6 when Dait crossed for his second try.
The Vipers had the last say in the half when back-rower Yoks Bagave crossed after taking an inside ball off a flowing backline move.
Soga converted to bring the score to 14-12 to the Goroka men at halftime.
The second half started with Vipers centre Morgan Gong muscling his way over the line in the 45th minute for the hosts to take an 18-14 lead for the first time.
Handling errors and poor fifth tackle options blighted the next 10 minutes until Lahanis’ Kumani Agumagu crossed out wide and Buka converted for a 20-18 lead.
The Vipers halves of No.7 Karis Peter and five-eighth Matthew Girimai along with No.9 Soga needed to step up and take control of the game but the home side’s play broke down on numerous occasions keeping them from launching a match-winning play.
Vipers 18 (Karis Peter, Yoks Bagave, Morgan Gong tries; Robin Soga 3 con) Lahanis 20 (Sefa Dait 2, Charlie Buka, Kumani Agumagu tries; Charlie Buka 2 con).
Results: Rd 9 – Sun, June 2: Mendi Muruks 20 Central Dabaris 6, Lae Tigers 34 Waghi Tumbe 26, Agmark Gurias 24 Kimbe Cutters 10, Port Moresby Vipers 18 Goroka Lahanis 20, Hela Wigmen 11 Enga Mioks 4, Gulf Isou 12 Hagen Eagles 16.
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