Gurias find their mojo in 26-point win over visiting Lions

 By FRANKIY KAPIN

THE TNA Simbu Lions copped a 34-8 beating at the hands of homeside the Agmark Rabaul Gurias at the Kokopo Graveyard yesterday in Round 8 of the Digicel Cup. 

Gurias surviving last weekend’s 10-point defeat by the Wigmen in Mendi recaptured their mojo on home soil running rings around the Lions. 

Coach Michael Marum unleashed his  fire power with the injection New Ireland recruit Adrian Bongas in the backrow and former Black Orchids 7s fly-half Duncan Golu in the raking duties along side place current PNG Kumuls No.9 Wartovo Puara Junior.

Bongas and Golu scored a try each in their debut clash and were busy around the ruck creating haovc for the Highlanders. 

Centre Nelson Daplen welcomed the Lions to the graveyard in the 10th minute with an unconverted try to lead 4-0 drawing from captain and halfback Ase Boas and fullback Jacky Markus. 

In the 26th minute a penalty to the Lions saw fullback Steven Gari slot the conversion to trail 4-2. 

The Gurias were awarded an penalty and Boas converted to push the lead out to 6-2. 

Bongas, in a solo effort, drove past the Lions defence for a try which was converted by Boas for a 12-6 lead at the break. 

Returning for the second half the Lions worked up a roar with an unconverted try . 

Golu coming in for Puara wasted no time muscling his way over the Lions tryline with a “pick and drive” try increasing Gurias’ score to 16 and Boas added the extras to lead 18-6. 

Warotvo, Daplen and Emmanuel Toide each went in for a try with Boas converting two settling for 34-8 at fulltime. 

Man of the match and Gurias forward Bradley Simon made inroads into the visitors defence one of which resulted in the second-rower running 90m in a break showing he had speed to match his backline. 

Lions only points in the second half came from a penalty. 

Lion’s halves combination of Supa Takai and Lesley David did not get going as hoped and many of their plays suffered as a consequence. 

For coach Hans Kaybin this is something that the side is focused on getting right as the season progresses. 

“Though this is a big improvement on our away games, the problem is with our halves. We need good direction especially when our forwards are setting a good platform,” Kaybing said.

“Gurias played a wider game and finished victorious but the outcome is a lesson for the team as we take a game, every weekend to improve on our performance. 

“We are not necessarily aiming to win but looking at finding our feet and able to maintain that status.”

The Gurias play two away games in Wabag and Lae before returning to the Kalabond for the home game against Vipers in Round 11. 

Gurias 34 (N. Daplen 2, A. Bongas, D. Golu, W. Puara Jnr, E. Toide tries; A. Boas 4 con, 1 pen) 

Lions 8 (S.Gari try;Gari 1 con, 1 pen) 

HT: 12-6 Lions at Kalabon Oval, Kokopo.