Isou draw with Tigers

THE Gulf Isou managed to arrest a worrying slide in form with a gutsy 10-10 away draw with the uncharacteristically poor Lae Snax Tigers in Lae on Sunday.
Five-eighth David Joseph’s two crucial penalty goals allowed the Isou to split competition points with the Tigers in low-scoring affair at the Lae Rugby League ground.
The round seven game was the main course of a double header with PRK Mendi Muruks edging the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis 24-16 in the opener.
Isou’s brotherly halves combination of Joseph at stand-off and Jerry Teme at halfback saw one set up the other as a Joseph chip had younger brother Teme dotting down for game’s first score in the 9th minute for a 4-0.
The Tigers were stunned into action with veteran prop and captain Roy Kela leading a beefy pack featuring big Tommy Moide, Doa Tapako, Ludwig Paul and the dynamic Able Rami working to dominate the ruck.
That effort ended in nippy fullback Sanny Wabo slicing through to score the hosts’ opening four-pointer off a Moide charge. Joshua Mire miss the easy conversion for a tied 4-4 score line.
Tigers’ ill-discipline saw the Isou edge ahead through a Teme penalty for the visitors to have have their beaks in front 6-4.
Brother Joseph slotted another penalty for a strip to push the seagulls out to an 8-4 lead at half time.
Despite their wretched first half the home side took the lead for the first time thanks to a try after an Isou fumble close to their line and this time Mire made no mistake with the conversion for a 10-8 lead.
Sticking to the script coach Ocar Tonga’s Tigers committed another infringement this time No.7 Milex Winis was pinged for stripping the ball and Joseph calmly stepped up and potted the score-leveling goal late in the half. Neither side could breach the other defence and had to be satisfied with the stalemate.
Isou coach Roger Laka was happy with his side’s performance telling The National that they played according to instructions and were satisfied with the result.