Gurias beef up

AGMARK Gurias take on an ominous look this Sunday in their preliminary final against SBS Muruks in Lae’s bemobile Cup double-header.
Returning from national duties are forward leader Rodney Pora, Dion Aiye, Sigfred Gande, Larsen Marabe and Pidi Togap.
For their opponents it has been a three-week waiting game but the Muruks under Joseph Omae, will finally get their chance to play.
In the sudden death play-off,  Toyota Mioks will meet Bintangor Lahanis in another exciting encounter.
The winners of Muruks-Gurias match will book the first grand final spot while losers take on the winners of the elimination final next week.
Muruks’ only representative, Andrew Sam, returns but Omae is satisfied his boys are ready despite the wait.
He backed his forwards in Paulus Mondo, Jackson Undi, Nobert Kembo, Roy Kela and hooker Andrew Baine to match their more illustrious opponents.
Gurias coach Michael Marum, on the other hand, is sure to start his topfive  preferring not to risk another confrontation with Mioks should Gurias lose.
Meanwhile, Mioks who were humbled 20-4 by Gurias in the first qualifying final, would have learned a “bitter lesson” and are sure to come out firing against the Lahanis.
Mioks notable Kumuls prospects  Jason Tali, Mai Tom, James Wanpis, Sent Angra and James Gend will be out to prove their worth.
Mioks deputy chairman Philip Kepson gave his assessment.
“We beat Lahanis last year in the semis and it’s not a problem for us.”
“We have the support in Lae just like Wabag.”
But the Lahanis are no slouches either and match Mioks in all departments having captain Glen Nami, Tony Dai, Nigel Hukukla, Nico Slain and John Milba at the helm along with newest Kumul Thompson Teteh
The Nokondi men are the dark horses in the final four having performed consistently this season after a slow start.
And after taking the SNS Vipers apart three weeks ago in Port Moresby, they might just be peaking at the right time.