Lae match ends in controversy

MORE controversy abounded in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup after the round 10 fixture between the Lae Snax Tigers and the PRK Mendi Muruks was called off prematurely after a Tigers try was disputed by the Muruks.
Referee James Amos was forced to end proceedings five minutes early after the Southern Highlands side disputed a dubious try awarded to prop Doa Tapako from a loose ball which appeared to be propelled forward from centre Shalom Bire.
Muruks were leading 14-10 at the time of the stoppage with Amos consulting with the match officials on the sideline before reversing his initial decision with a no-try call and calling off the game in the 75th minute. A final decision on whether the match would called a draw with the Tigers try allowed or re-played will be made by the PNGNRL Competition chief executive officer Leith Isaac.
The local derby between the two Lae-based franchises was played in wet conditions.
A grubber by Tigers five-eighth and captain Mark Tony back fired with Muruks Terry Wapi scooping up the kick and running 90-metres to score the opening try which No.6 David Joseph converted.
The Noel Zeming-coached Tigers hit back through halfback Warren Glare who went over next to the uprights however Tony’s conversion attempt was waved away for the Mendi side to hold on to a 6-4 lead.
Muruks winger Jade Puk burst down the left flank and kicked through for a supporting Wapi to bag his second four-pointer earning the Southern Highlanders a 12-4 lead in Lae.
Joseph added a penalty eight minutes before halftime for a 14-4 lead at the hooter for the interval.
The Tigers left their response till late with Glare sending back-rower Jordan Steven over in the 71st minute.
Tony knocked over conversion to get his side to within four at 10-14. The Tigers finished strongly in the 75th minute through Bire and Tapako.
The official score sheet had the fixture tied at 14-14 with the conversion for Tapako’s apparent try not taken.