Isou shock Mioks

By BENJAMIN KOITAKA
THE Gulf Isou scored an impressive 34-16 win over the Enga Mioks in the opening round of the Digicel Cup yesterday.
The win sees the Petroleum Resources Kutubu-sponsored team head the standings after round one.
In Kimbe, the Central Dabari won the battle of the debuting franchises with a gutsy 34-20 win over the Kimbe Cutters.
The Isou, who finished second last year and were without any notable players on their roster, taught the misfiring Mioks, who made last year’s grand final, a football lesson about treasuring the ball and making the most of opportunities.
The clash at the National Football Stadium was the first fixture of a double header that attracted 3000 fans through the turnstiles.
The second game saw the Agmark Gurias see off the NCDC Port Moresby Vipers 26-10 in a competitive clash.
Unheralded Isou halves Yunny Patrick and Jason Maima lead their side well but it was the Gulf men’s defence that proved the difference with their ability to absorb pressure and then force turnovers that gained them momentum and confidence.
The Isou led 14-6 at halftime and added 20 points while the Engans could only manage half that number.
The Mioks, who lost coach Timothy Lepa in a tragic road accident last month, put in a lackluster effort and will need to lift when they face the PRK Muruks in Mendi next.
The Isou on the other hand host the reigning premiers Goroka Lahanis, who lost to the returning Mt Hagen Eagles at Rebiamul Oval, Hagen, yesterday.
The Gurias outplayed a committed Vipers after conceding the opening points of the game.
Led by wily playmaker Solomon Pokare, the East New Britons hit back through a try to Tuvi Lepan which halfback Pokare converted for a 6-4 after 15 minutes.
A Vipers mistake saw the visitors capitalize with centre Eliakim Lukara scoring his side’s second try on the left edge to go ahead 12-4 in 20th minute. The Gurias suffered a setback when dummy-half Jimmy Peter was sin binned for dangerous throw 35th minute but the home side were unable turn that advantage to points.
The Steve Gunua-coached Vipers then allowed the Gurias to score when fullback Terry Wapi crossed for their third try in the 39th minute for a 16-4 at halftime.
The home fans had something to cheer about when the Vipers were first to score in the second half when No.7 Karis Peter scored a try (50th min) and kicked the conversion to trail 16-10.
Lukara bagged his second four-pointer in the 68th minute to push the lead to 20-10 and prop Gene Markham capped off an assured performance by the Gurias with a try in the 78th minute.
Gurias coach Steven Nightingale said he was impressed with their start to the 2019 season.
“That was a good start to the season. We made some simple errors, dropped the ball and got away from the game plan a little bit but it was like a trial game and we’ll improve as we go along the season,” Nightingale said.
“It was a good test to be down to 12 men after the sin binning but I was pleased with the way we defended and then scored points.”
Results: Rd 1 – Sun, April 7 – Gulf Isou 34 Enga Mioks 16, Port Moresby Vipers 10 Rabaul Gurias 26, Kimbe Cutters 20 Central Dabari 34, Hagen Eagles 8 Goroka Lahanis 6, Lae Tigers 12 Hela Wigmen 8, Mendi Muruks 10 Waghi Tumbe 12.
Standings: Isou 2 (+18), Gurias 2 (+16), Dabari 2 (+14), Tigers 2 (+4), Tumbe (+2), Eagles (+2), Lahanis 0 (-2), Muruks 0 (-2), Wigmen 0 (-4), Cutters 0 (-14), Vipers 0 (-16), Mioks 0 (-18).