Gurias get by
The National, Monday June 24th, 2013
By ELIZABETH VUVU
THE Digicel Cup rugby league match of Round 11 between the NGIP Agmark Rabaul Gurias and SNS Port Moresby Vipers went down to the wire at the Kalabond field in Kokopo yesterday with the homeside winning 27-22.
Vipers drew first blood in the ninth minute when five-eighth Peter Paulus dummied before diving over.
Five-eighth Israel Eliab failed to convert the try.
The visitors struck again in the 14th minute when lock Sebastian Pandia showed a clean pair of heels to run 60-metres before offloading to a supporting Gary Lou. Eliab converted the try.
Gurias got on the board in the 29th minute after a grubber kick from halfback Ase Boas which forward Bradley Simon gathered to score. Boas failed to convert the try.
Kumul rake Wartovo Puara Jnr bagged a four-pointer in the 34th minute which Boas converted for a 10-10 score at the break.
Three minutes into the second half, Sebulaon Ragi scored through Eliab’s sleight of hands. Eliab, however, injured his knee and had to leave the field.
Gurias flier Emnnauel Toide scored in the 51st minute to get the Gurias back even 16-16.
Five minutes later Quentin Ragi fed Boas who carried two defenders over.
Gurias led 22-16.
In the 59th minute, Vipers No.9 Charlie Wabo latched on to a Paulus kick taking the homsedie by surprise. Pandia Pandia converted to draw even at 22-22.
Boas kicked a field goal to nudge the Gurias a point in front 23-22.
Kumul half Dion Aiye then put his mark on the game beating several defenders to score the winner in the corner in the 76th minute.
Gurias coach Michael Marum was happy with his team’s performance saying it was a tough game with his young side against a team littered with current and former Kumuls and having more experienced players.
The assistant Kumul coach said his side needed to consolidate their position by getting an away win against the Lae Tigers who are one of the best sides in the competition.
Gurias 27 (B. Simon, W. Puara Jnr, E.Toide, A. Boas tries; A. Boas 3, D. Aiye con, A. Boas 1 fg kick) Vipers 22 (P. Paulus, G. Lou, S. Ragi, C. Wabo, Eliab con, Pandia 2 con).