Gurias bash Eagles, miss out on minor premiership

By SULI SULI
RABAUL Gurias narrowly missed out on clinching the minor premiership but they ended the Digicel Cup regular season with a 56-16 win over Mt Hagen Eagles in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Gurias and Eagles played the second match of the Santos National Football Stadium triple-header.
In the earlier game, Port Moresby Vipers outlasted Goroka Lahanis 26-20, but the six-point victory was not enough for the Moni Plus-sponsored hosts to finish in the top-six.
The Francis Ray-coached Gurias were stunned as the last-placed Eagles held a slender 16-14 lead at halftime.
The Charles Kuri-coached Eagles kept their hopes alive for a win to end their campaign, but the Gurias kept them scoreless in the second stanza.
Edward Goma and Nathan Tente scored a double and Ilias Stanley, Joe Frank, Konnie Bernard, Jeremy Tambai, Saki Peter and Daniel Pai each scored a try in the Gurias’ 40-point victory.
“We prepared well for the last match as it was going to be hard,” Ray said.
“We struggled a bit with our attack in the first 40 minutes, but we stuck to our game plan and got the job done in the second half.”
The Gurias had a consistent season under Ray, finishing second in the regular season.
The Agmark-sponsored team are no strangers to the Digicel Cup finals, and will be eyeing the premiership.
“The Gurias have been to the finals every year, so we’re looking to continue that record,” Ray said.
“Being the new coach this year, my aim is to reach the grand final.
“We will work on our defence and attack to prepare for Mendi Muruks.”