Gurias game shifted to Pom

By MICHAEL PHILIP
SUNDAY’S Digicel Cup round two fixture between the Agmark Rabaul Gurias and Moni Plus Port Moresby Vipers will be played in Port Moresby at the Santos National Football Stadium, an official says.
Gurias team manager Mapua Tamtu told The National that the venue was moved from Kalabond Oval in Kokopo to the NFS as a safety measure after the town experienced clashes between local Ulagunan youths and the Highlands community after the death of a bank employee on Saturday.
“It’s a bad news for us, he said.
“But we just have to accept the challenge and play in Port Moresby this weekend.
“Hopefully the matter will be settled so we can have our home games played here again.”
Following their gritty 18-16 win last Sunday in Wabag against the Enga Mioks, Tamtu said his side were looking to build on that performance against the city franchise.
“Last week was very challenging for us,” Tamtu said.
“Our flight to Mt Hagen from Port Moresby was cancelled on Saturday so we had to go to Lae and hit the highway up to Wabag with the boys not having much rest before the game on Sunday.
“But we were really happy with the win. The boys did well to keep their energy until fulltime.”
According to Tamtu, the Round 13 match with the Vipers schedule for Port Moresby would now be played in Kokopo.
Meanwhile, the Vipers, who overcame the visiting Mt Hagen Eagles 22-8 in the opening round, are wary of a Gurias outfit which has bolstered its ranks with notable signings in Kumul Garry Lo, former SP Hunters Joe Frank and Nicky Hasu, and half Saki Peter. Vipers coach Joe Sipa said his side would need to improve its set completions against a quality side that was full of confidence.
Fixtures: Sun, May 1 – Vipers v Gurias, Eagles v Muruks, Tumbe v Lahanis, Cutters v Tigers, Wigmen v Mioks, Dabaris v Isou.