Eagles pip Lahanis in trial

 By ELIAS LARI

THE Mt Hagen Wamp Nga Eagles beat the Goroka Bintangor Lahanis 14-12 in a trail match at the National Sports Institute in Goroka on Sunday. 

Lahanis chairman and Bintangor owner Simon Sia was among jam-packed fans at the oval to see the clash between the two provincial teams.  

The Lahanis has proven to be one of the better teams in the Digicel Cup competition but they lost to the Eagles on their home ground, something many fans described as a first of its kind.

Fifteen minutes into the game, Eagles skipper Mel kicked two points after a Lahanis player was penalised.

That gave the Eagles confidence and fullback Junior Pau took a pass from Mel to dash in for a try that was converted to lead 8-0.

The Lahanis replied when prop and Kumul Wesley Mokule broke through into the Eagles territory and passed to Supa Kokote who touched down.

Early in the second half, Bintangor halfback Joseph Peter added another unconverted try to level the scores 8-8.

With the match in the balance, Solomon Kumin scored and converted for the Eagles to lead 14-8.

Ishmael Akunte snuck into the “Kanges” territory to scorebut the conversion was waved away.

 “This was the first win for the Eagles with a new franchise Wamp Nga Holdings and that has raised the confidence of the team management that they will maintain the stand to prepare for the proper season which will kick start on April 14,” team manager Bob Pekendi said.

He said this was only a trial match but he was confident improved ball handling and defence would only better the team.