Kimbe cut down Lahanis

By LARRY ANDREW
THE Kimbe Cutters registered their third win of the season after they beat the Goroka Lahanis 28-20 in round nine of the Digicel Cup at the Lae Rugby League Ground on Saturday.
Playing their fourth game of the season in the Morobe capital, the Cutters opened the scoring with an unconverted try 11 minutes in, but the Lahanis responded with a converted four-pointer for a 6-4 lead.
With Cutters forwards Steven Bruno, John Dau, Tony Worot, Michael Teke and Lynol Molpoiyo laying the foundation, centre Christy Gorea found space to score an unconverted try out wide to take an 8-6 lead.
The West New Britain team scored two more tries through fullback Jah Hogen and SP Hunter Justin Yoka which the five-eighth converting both four-pointers for a 20-6 lead at halftime.
Determined to not let the game slip away, the Lahanis regrouped and scored an early second-half try through winger Jordan Millie to trail 10-20.
But the Cutters responded with a converted try through substitute Fredrick Ramangio after rake Francis Nasar capitalised on a penalty against the Lahanis to send the forward over. Another high tackle by the Lahanis saw the Cutters extend their lead when Yoka converted the penalty.
The Eastern Highlands side then fought back with a try through lock forward Jacob Gibbs with captain Charlie Buka converting the kick to trail 16-28.
The Lahanis then scored another try but the Cutters managed to see out the win.
Cutters Coach Lucas Samak told The National that playing away had instilled confidence among his players.
He said his side were aiming to make the top-six.
“The game was good and our defence was quite pleasing,” Samak said.
“We had plenty of scoring opportunities. But we didn’t convert most of them into points.
“All in all, the win will give confidence to the people of West New Britain to rally behind us in our next match against the Port Moresby Vipers.”