Eagles hammer Wigmen

 By ELIAS LARI
THE Wamp Nga Hagen Eagles crushed the Hela Wigmen 34-6 in their Digicel Cup Round 11 clash at the Rebiamul Rugby League Oval yesterday.
The win saw the move into outright second spot while for the Hela side it brought them down to earth after a morale boosting win over the Lae Tigers last round.
The clash saw Rebiamul packed with eager fans from Hela keen on seeing their side continue their form but it was clear from the outset that the home were not taking anything for granted.
Veteran Eagles prop Francis Ray set up Scott Francis  for their first try. The home side hunkered down to play tight aggressive rugby league which led to Junior Rau crossing for the Eagle’s second four-pointer and with the conversion they were up 12-0.
Wigmen David Lapua, Obert Hondale, Steven Mark, Matthew Puke and William Mone looked dangerous with the ball but their efforts came to naught.
Eagles coach James Kops’ game plan worked a treat with the Wigmen hemmed in on most occassions and lacking the space and time to mount any real threat.
In the second half the Eagles continued where they left off piling on the pressure until Nickson Put scored and then the floodgates opened with the Western Highlanders crossing three more times punctauted by a lone Wigmen try by  Ian Malaibe.
The Eagles are enjoying their best season since making the inter-city cup final in 2008.
They are second on the ladder with 17 points and are a real chance for the minor premiership with two home games and a bye over the last five rounds.