Harlies put down Spartans threat

 NATIONAL sevens representative Monty Diave bagged a brace of tries,punctuated by a sin-binning, as Harlequins scored a 31-5 win over Spartans in Saturday’s only Capital Rugby Union premier match.

Packing down at open-side flank, Diave’s incisive running and support play was on show with the 27-year-old scoring in the 27th and 73rd minutes as the competition leaders saw off an even opening 40, before finishing strongly in the last quarter on Field 1 at Monier Rugby Park, Port Moresby.

Diave’s only indiscretion was a yellow-card for a tip tackle on Isaac Toliman a minute before halftime.

Newly-converted prop Mark Pilonopened the scoring for the Trukai-sponsored club in the 9th minute for a 5-0 lead but the next 18 minutes found the Spartans line impregnable.

The halftime score was 12-0 – hardly the beginning of a rout some were expecting.

The John Larry-coached side held their own for periods, relying on spoiling tactics that sawHarlies halfback KumalauAuru hassled and harried, while an up-and-in defensive pattern unsettled flyhalf Jonah Kautu Jnr resulting in a stifled mid-field.

But the ploy, as effective as it was, would only be good for as long as Spartans could sustain the intensity.

The minute they started to wane, winning was always going to be an uphill battle. 

Spartans scored through reserve Nigel Alex in the 57th minute, after an attacking scrum 5-metres out. But fullback Robert Lambuku, who would have a forgetful day with the boot (0/4), missed the sideline conversion for a 12-5 score line.  

Harlequins hit back after dominating field position and 120kg lock Gabriel Biyama crashed over in the 64th minute after earlier spilling the ball over the line.

Centre Tisa Kautu (1/3) missed the easy conversion and brother Jonah Jnr took over the kicking, slotting the next two conversions.

Tries to Diave and Tisa (80th min) rounded off a solid win.

Harlequins 31 (M. Pilon, M. Diave 2, G. Biyama, T. Kautu tries; T. Kautu 1 con, J. Kautu Jnr 2 con) Spartans 5 (N. Alex try).

Results: Harlequins 31 Spartans 5, Brothers 22 University 12, Wanderers 23 Nova 19, Defence 44 Wariors 5.