Isou shock Tumbe

The National Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA
GULF Isou stunned reigning Digicel Cup runners-up Waghi Tumbe to win 16-8 in the opening round of the Digicel Cup at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
Kerema Rugby League product Kenny Laho had a memorable inter-city debut as he bagged a double while former Tumbe playmaker David Joseph, Gabbie Taune and Jerry Teme were solid.
Isou scored first when Tumbe winger Robert Koronus attempted to keep the Joseph’s lineout kick in-field which landed in Laho’s hands who raced away to score in the fourth minute.
Joseph’s conversion made it 6-0.
Tumbe responded in the 14th when veteran forward Supa Kokote barged his way through the defenders to score beside the uprights.
Five-eighth Judah Wesley failed to convert as his side trailed by two points.
Isou extended their lead to 10-4 when winger Laho completed his double out wide in the 25th minute.
Tumbe scored another unconverted try five minutes later through Koronus crossed over in the corner.
Isou extended their lead on the stroke of halftime when centre Eliakim Lukara caught Tumbe’s left-edge defence napping to score in the corner.
Joseph failed to convert Isou’s two tries as they led 14-8 at halftime.
No tries were scored in the second half with both side making too many errors.
The only second-half points came via Joseph’s penalty goal which extended the scoreline to 16-8.
Tumbe’s left edge of Alex Max, Koronus and John Kalimba kept under pressure all game as man-of-the-match Taune combined well with siblings Joseph and Teme to get Isou off to a winning start.
Isou coach Roger Laka said he was thrilled with the win.
“I thought we could have scored more tries with the possession we had, but we just couldn’t finish off,” the SP Hunters legend said.
Meanwhile, Port Moresby Vipers outclassed visitors Mt Hagen Eagles 22-8 in the earlier match of the nation’s capital double-header.
Results: Sun, April 24 – Mioks 16 Gurias 18, Isou 16 Tumbe 8, Tigers 38 Dabaris 14, Lahanis 10 Wigmen 12, Muruks 22 Cutters 12, Vipers 22 Eagles 8.