Kokote leads Mioks to 6th straight win, keep top spot

The National Sports

By MELTON PAIS
ENGA Mioks captain Supa Kokote, pictured, earned his side valuable two-points for the competition leaders as they edged the Hela Wigmen 18-14 in their round six fixture at the National Football Stadium yesterday.
Kokote with his man-of-the-match performance put his body on the line in defence and attack and made several telling breaks to contribute to the visiting side’s sixth consecutive victory of the Digicel Cup 2018 season.
Mioks coach Timothy Lepa commended his forwards especially Kokote for matching the Hela pack that featured former Kumuls Timothy Lomai, Nixon Kolo and former Hunter Benji Hetra.
The Mioks were also led well by playmaker Roger Laka, who kicked three conversions.
Although the Mioks maintained their No.1 spot, Lepa said they still had areas in their game that needed to be addressed before their next game against the defending champions Lae Tigers at Aipus Oval next Sunday.
The Wigmen put the Mioks under the blow torch in the opening 20 minutes which resulted in five-eighth Enoch Kewa crossing for the first try a 4-0 lead.
Mioks skipper Kokote hit back for his side with a solo effort running 50-metres which No.6 Laka converted for the visitors to take the lead 6-4.
The Mioks settled into a rhythm after weathering the early storm and winger Robert Koronus scored his side’s second four-pointer for a 12-4 lead they took to the halftime break.
The Mioks started the second stanza in the perfect way with Kokote laying on a try for hooker Wood Kawage for them to jump out to an 18-4 lead.
The Wigmen were spurred into action and Lomai, Kolo and Hetra dominated the ruck making easy yardage and setting a platform for the likes of centre Standford Talita and Melvin Paul to flourish.
Talita stepped his way through a throng of Mioks defenders to give his side some hope at 18-10 and winger Paul Nelson cut the margin down further with a converted try but the Helas ran out of time.
The Mioks are undefeated after six rounds, their best start to a Digicel Cup season, and lead the standings on 12 points.
Hela Wigmen 14 (Enoch Kewa, Stanford Talita, Paul Nelsontries; Daniel Tapol con) Enga Mioks 18 (Supa Kokote, Robert Koronus, Wood Kawage tries; Roger Laka 3 con).