Gurias, Dabaris settle for draw

By MICHAEL PHILIP
THE Rabaul Gurias had to settle for a 12-12 draw with the Central Dabaris in their Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Round 2 clash at the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday.
The perennial title contenders from New Guinea Islands could not break down an organised and determined opponent in humid conditions.
Gurias opened the scoring with a Mark Alunga penalty goal inside the first 10 minutes for a 2-0 lead which was a testament to the respect the East New Britons held for the Papuan side.
The Gurias turned in some lackluster defence around the ruck which allowed Dabaris hooker Mathew Wauwe to snatch a try under the uprights for five-eighth Nick Hasu to add the extras for a 6-2 lead.
The Gurias pack started to make inroads into Dabaris defence with props Tony Worot and Daniel Pai leading the assault.
Boom second-rower Simon Johnson benefited from the front foot ball to crash over for a try to regain the lead 8-6 but a late penalty goal by the home side ensured a tied score line at halftime.
The Rabaul side struggled to complete their sets and apply pressure on the Dabaris in the second half and the Central men also obliged the visitors with an equally inept second 40 with neither side able to trouble the scorers.
Gurias fullback Junias Guan broke the spell with a try which halfback Alunga could not convert for a tenuous 12-8 lead.
The Dabaris saved their best effort for the day a well taken try to utility Gairo Voro which Hasu failed to cap off leading to a tied scoreline.
“We failed to improve our defence in the second half and I can say the first half as well,” Gurias coach Jesse Alunga said.
“We took the Dabaris lightly and as a result we ended up with this result.
The competition is getting tougher now and we will need to be prepared well for the games ahead.
“We lacked in our attacking skills and we will have to work on that at training and try toscore more points next week in round three.”
Meanwhile, Dabaris coach Steve Gunua said he was pleased with the effort if not the execution from his side and would continue to refine their attacking patterns and defensive game at training during the week with an eye to securing their first win of the season.
“We are yet to register a win this season and with a draw with the Gurias it’s a lesson for us to take every game seriously going forward,” he said.