Gurias fire at home

 THE Digicel Cup rugby league match in Kokopo yesterday saw the Rabaul Gurias score a convincing 28-4 victory over the Goroka Lahanis.

The home team, who are fourth on the ladder against a team a place higher, scored six tries but only converted two to run  out comfortable winners in the Round 13 clash at Kalabond Oval.

The visitors showed intent in the early exchanges with Gurias’ prop Joe Bruno and halfback and captain Ase Boas (pictured left) on the end of some aggressive tackling by the Eastern Highlanders.

Despite the bumps and bruises the home side’s class shown through as they put themselves in good position to apply pressure on the Goroka line.

Sowe Wallace crossed for the Gurias in the 15th minute with Ase Boaz missing to the conversion for a 4-0 lead.

Gurias William Akuila found his way to the tryline 10 minutes to jack the lead to eight points after Boas again failed to add the extras.

Another try from Gurias’  backrower Mark Mexico (pictured right) put the Kokopo-based side in a strong position as 14-0. Boas found his form with the boot to add the extras.

The Lahanis were still hanging tough in spite of the scoreline and their efforts were rewarded with Felix Tatsim scoring their first and only try as it tuned out, just before halftime leaving the scores at 14-4.

The Gurias did not take their foot of the pedal in the second 40 putting on another three tries to send the visitors back home to Goroka with a loss. 

Akuila scored his side’s fourth touch down in the second half with Boas nailing the conversion for a 20-4 lead.

Wallace wrapped up the contest with a secondhalf double for a hat-trick in the 28-4 win. 

A worrying statistic that will no doubt be on the minds of both coaches was the error rate.

The Gurias uncharacteristically dropped the ball on several occasions while in good position while the Lahanis were also guilty of loose carries.

Gurias 28 (S.Wallace 3, W. Akuila 2, M. Mexico 1 tries; A. Boas 2 con) Lahanis 4 (F. Tatsim 1 try).