Gurias look to complete double

By MICHAEL PHILIP
RABAUL Gurias will look to retain the pole spot when they face reigning champions Tigers in round 15 of the Digicel Cup in Lae on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
The Agmark-sponsored Gurias are aiming for their sixth straight win while the Lae Biscuit Company-backed hosts will look to atone for their 14-32 round-three loss to the visitors at the Kalabond Oval earlier this year.
Gurias head coach Francis Ray told The National this week that his side were primed for the top-four clash against the reigning champions.
“We’re taking it one game at a time,” the Papua New Guinea Kumuls legend said.
“The need to improve in each game is crucial at this time of the year.
“We’re ready for the Tigers.
“We’re expecting a tough clash.
“Even though they’re occupying the fourth spot, we won’t be taking them lightly.”
Ray said discipline and game management would be crucial in their run to the top-six finals.
“We’ve been emphasising a lot on discipline as that is the key to winning games,” the former Mt Hagen Eagles forward said.
“We have three more rounds before finals, and we expecting every game to be tough.
“So we’re looking to continue working on our weaknesses.”
Veteran campaigner Ase Boas is expected to partner five-eighth Saki Peter in the halves with young playmaker Mark Alunga shifting to dummy-half and Nathan Tente dropping to the bench.
Fixtures: Sat, Aug 13 – Cutters v Eagles, Isou v Mioks; Sun, Aug 14 – Muruks v Wigmen, Tigers v Gurias, Vipers v Tumbe, Dabaris v Lahanis.