Isou snatch late victory

The National Sports

By JACK AMI
A CONTROVERSIAL try by Gulf Isou centre Mennah Minnie in the 79th minute which was awarded by referee James Kundi saw them beat the NCDC Port Moresby Vipers 20-14 in their Round 8 Digicel Cup match at the National Football Stadium yesterday.
Video replays on the big screen showed that the ball was not grounded properly however Kundi after a brief consultation with his touch judge awarded the try and Isou five-eighth Yunny Patrick kicked the sideline conversion for a last-gasp win after the scores had been tied at 14-14 in the final quarter of the game.
Kundi’s performance angered Vipers team officials who attempted to confront him after the game as he was walking off but thanks to alert stadium staff a potential incident was averted.
Vipers captain Larsen Marabe was sin-binned by Kundi in the second half for dissent after the former Kumul centre challenged a penalty against him for dangerous play.
Marabe initially refused to leave the field and protested the send-off causing play to be held up for several minutes before the Vipers skipper walked off.
Kundi also put the Vipers team on report after he awarded the final try to the Isou and Vipers players huddled behind their try line in protest refusing to acknowledge the referee’s request captain Marabe and a certain player to approach him.
The match was also marred by two instances of dangerous play that nearly sparked brawls.
Isou took a 12-8 lead in the first half thanks to tries to Minnie and Josh Ericho with Patrick kicking two goals.
Vipers points were scored through a try by centre Kitron Laka with Manu Kame kicking a conversion and penalty goal.
In the second half, Gulf’s Patrick edged his team ahead with a penalty increase their lead to 14-8.
Vipers halfback Karis Peter crashed over with Robin Soga kicking the conversion to level the scores.
The Vipers were in great field position in the 77th minute but coughed possession allowing the Isou to surge to the opposite end of the field were the winning play was executed.
Isou coach Norris Selu said errors were again the order of the day but fortune had favoured his side.
Results: Rd 8 – Sun, May 26: Lahanis 28 Gurias 14, Mioks 16 Tumbe 10, Vipers 14 Isou 20, Eagles 4 Wigmen 14, Tigers 38 Dabaris 12, Cutters 15 Muruks 14.