Hela Wigmen rebound with win over cellar dwellers Eagles

Sports

THE Hela Wigmen got back to winners’ circle in a second-half boil over when they beat the Mt Hagen Eagles 20-6 after trailing at half-time in yesterday’s Digicel Cup round six clash.
The match at the Sir John Guise Stadium saw Wigmen score first through prop Samuel Yegip but the Judah Rimbu missed the easy conversion. The Eagles then edged ahead 6-4 through a Manu Mikave try which was converted to heading into halftime.
The Eagles had the intent in the second stanza but lacked the execution as errors piled up and coupled with poor option taking they wouldn’t trouble the scorers again.
Meanwhile, it took Wigmen 60 minutes to get their structures right as winger Nanduka Rame scored an unconverted try 19 minutes out from fulltime for his side to regain the lead 8-6.
Five minutes later Wigmen reserve back Solo Wane scored on the right flank from a movement instigated by experienced playmaker William Mone and Stanford Talita for a 12-6 lead.
Rimbu kicked a penalty from in front to extend the lead to 14-6 by the 70th minute.
Wigmen centre Gilmore Paul put the match beyond doubt when he scored a converted try four minutes out from fulltime to seal the game.
Hela coach Charlie Wabo said his pack laid the groundwork for the win.
“I thought our pack led by Samuel Yegip, Tommy Moide and Valentine Richard really stood up in the second half to win the match,” he said.
“They (forwards) got us on the front foot with some big runs that made it easy our backs.
“Eagles came strong in the first half and kept us under pressure.
“I am happy that my side listened to my instructions at half time and executed in the second half.”
Meanwhile, Vipers continued their winning run as they beat Waghi Tumbe 18-8 in the earlier match of the Port Moresby triple header.
Coach Leonard Tarum said his side were building momentum in the competition and they were improving every week.