Great rivals face off

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The National, Friday 7th June 2013

 By PHILIP KEPSON

SUNDAY’S Round 9 Digicel Cup match-up between the Enga Mioks and the Rabaul Gurias in Wabag shapes as a clash of the Titans.

The Radaaz boys have a checkered away record having won two and lost two.

But they have a great finals record against the Mioks having won a grand final and two semi-finals in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively will be a springboard for coach Michael Marum to stir up the Gurias’ for a first victory in eight years at Aipus Oval.

However, a win for the men from the Ioroland will not come as easy as one may anticipate as the Mioks, who claim Aipus oval as their “graveyard” for visiting teams, will be out in full force to deliver the same treatment they dished out to the Hela Wigmen and Mt Hagen Eagles in the last two rounds.

The Enga Provincial Government-sponsored team will rely on the crowd factor to lift them again against top quality opposition.

Led by Kumuls Esau Siune and David Loko, the Engan pack will look to stamp its authority early on to create time and space for halves Roger Laka and Charles Simon to unleash the likes of Pasu Awani, Jeffrey Maino  and Blend Abavu.  

A team that boasts Dion Aiye, Albert Patak, Ase Boas and Jacky must be watched closely and the homeside will have to be on guard for the full 80 to secure victory.