Gurias outplay Hela Wigmen as they aim for top place

By JACK AMI
THE Agmark Rabaul Gurias first-half performance was enough to beat the Kroton Hela Wigmen 12-4 in round 13 of the Digicel at the National Football Stadium yesterday.
With nine rounds remaining before the top-six playoffs, the Gurias are looking to cement their spot in the top two alongside competition leaders Lae Snax Tigers.
If the Tigers maintain their momentum, they should be able to claim the minor premiership. However, any slip-up and the Rabaul-based franchise are sure to pounce.
Yesterday’s encounter saw the Gurias and the Wigmen scoring all their points before the break. The final stanza was scoreless as both sides tried desperately to build momentum but were unsuccessful.
The Gurias executed their second-phase play well in the first half with man of the match Brian Gispe scoring between the uprights from dummy-half. Halfback Solomon Pokari converted the try to give the Gurias a 6-0 lead 21 minutes in.
This was followed by another try from second-rower Tuvi Lepan right on the half-time hooter with a perfect inside pass which caught the Wigmen defence napping. Pokari made sure of the conversion to increase the lead to 12-4.
The Wigmen’s only points came from Jephert Olik.
In the second half, The Gurias and the Wigmen kept on hammering their way up the pitch but were unsuccessful with solid defence and errors from either side.
Results: Round 13 – Muruks 8 Mioks 8, Gurias 12 Wigmen 4, Eagles 22 Dabaris 16, Vipers 32 Tumbe 16, Lahanis 40 Isou 18.