Guambo cuts Wigmen

 By ZACHERY PER

WILLIE Guambo yesterday led the Simbu Lions to a 27-18 win over the Hela Wigmen at Kundiawa’s Dicksons rugby League ground.

Lions secured the game in the first half witha double to Guambo (pictured) and  one to Kupsy Isaac. 

Guambo converted all three tries for a commanding 18-0 lead at half time.

Wigmen boosted by big names Joseph Omai, Felix Tangue, Samson Ene, Oliver Kerry, Sova Milfred and Jackson Undi failed to make a dent in the Lions line in the opening 40.

However, the visitors rallied back strongly in the second half to score tries through Kerry, Stanton Albert, and Wesa Tenza. 

Tenza kicked three from three.

Four minutes into the second half, Robert Dama weaved his way to the line after running off a Guambo pass. The Lions No.7 missed the conversion for a 22-0 lead.

Minutes later the 23-year-old then slotted a field goal to push his side to a 23-0 lead.

The Wigmen showed their mettle by putting on three consecutive tries to put the game in the balance at 23-18 midway through the half.

Wigmen’s coach Stanley Hondina took his hat off to the Lions saying they were the better side on the day.

He said his boys went off to sleep in the first half, as the Kundiawa men ran rings around them to pile on the points in the first half and make things difficult for the visitors to come back.

“Lions were too good in all departments and did well, we came up too late in the second half as time was our worst enemy,” Hondina said. 

The win sees the TNA-sponsored franchise rise to 14 points, four outside the top five.

Best performers for Lions were Guambo, Dama, Wemin Aure, Steven Gari, Manu Minga, Bi Kerenga, Aaron Paul and Ben Wemin.