Gurias edge Vipers

A 10-point haul by skipper Watson Boas saw the Rabaul Gurias end the Port Moresby Vipers’ winning streak with a 14-10 victory at Sir John Guise Stadium yesterday.
In the other round-eight Digicel Cup fixtures, the Lae Tigers continued their unbeaten start with 40-12 win over hosts Goroka Lahanis.
Waghi Tumbe registered their second win of the season with a 16-10 win over Mt Hagen Eagles. In Lae’s double-header, the Enga Mioks beat Kimbe Cutters 18-10 and the Mendi Muruks bounced back from last week’s loss with a 40-4 win over Gulf Isou.
The other fixture of Port Moresby’s double-header saw the Hela Wigmen maintain second spot with a 24-14 win over the Central Dabaris.
The match between the Vipers and the Gurias seemed like a shoot-for-goal contest between brothers Ase and Watson Boas with Ase kicking three from four attempts for the Vipers while younger brother Watson kicked three from four attempts and scored a try.
The Gurias opened the scoring five minutes in through a Watson Boas penalty goal to lead 2-0.
Five minutes before halftime, referee Kone Clement sent Gurias centre John Ragi Jr to the sin bin for a shoulder charge on a Vipers player which saw the hosts take advantage to score an unconverted try through Brandon Gotuno for a 4-2 lead
The referee again sent a second Gurias playerto sin bin one minute out from halftime for a professional foul.
The first six minutes of the second half saw the Gurias defend with just eleven players but the Vipers could not create enough chances to score. When the two sin-binned players returned, the Gurias wasted no time with five-eighth Wartovo Puara Jr putting in a cheap kick for Edward Goma who then sent John Ragi Jr over for a converted try to lead 8-4.
Ase Boas then kicked three successive penalty goals for a 10-8 lead with 10 minutes on the clock.
A minute later, Watson Boas kicked a penalty goal to level the scores before scoring the winner.