Gurias to play Wigmen

By PARKER TAMBUA
LADDER leaders Rabaul Gurias will face a tough battle against Hela Wigmen in round eight of the Digicel Cup at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The 2020 premiers, Wigmen, are third on the 12-team ladder, just two points behind Gurias (12).
Visitors Gurias have recorded just one loss while Wigmen have suffered two defeats after round seven.
Despite the Agmark-sponsored side’s flogging of Central Dabaris 42-14 last Sunday, their coach Francis Ray wants his men to improve for the Wigmen clash.
“There is always room for improvement, regardless of whether we win or lose,” he said.
“So we will look to fine-tune certain areas of our game. Halfback Ase Boas and No.6 are managing the game well, so we will continue to make use of their experience.”
The Wigmen defence will be put to the test as the hosts look to keep Gurias at bay, given the attacking threat of Boas, Peter, Joe Frank, John Ragi Jr and rake Nathan Tente.
The Seth Rip-coached Wigmen were thrashed 12-44 by defending champions Lae Tigers in round five, but they had rebounded with back-to-back wins over Kimbe Cutters and Mt Hagen Eagles.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have dropped down to fourth place.
The Lae based side face Goroka Lahanis at Sir Danny Leahy Oval on Sunday. Fixtures: Sun, June 12 – Tumbe v Eagles, Mioks v Muruks, Lahanis v Tigers, Wigmen v Gurias, Vipers v Dabaris, Isou v Cutters.