Lae outplay Gurias in tight contest

By LARRY ANDREW
THE Lae Rugby League Ground was filled to the capacity as homeside Lae Snax Tigers beat the Agmark Gurias, 10-4, in their round 9 Digicel Cup fixture, thanks to a two-try effort by fullback Joe Joshua.
The win was a welcomed result for the out-of-sorts Tigers, who are slowly building momentum after a poor start to the season where they managed only one win from their first five games.
With Port Moresby-based referee Paul Wani in charge, last year’s grand finalists (Tigers and Gurias) put on a solid display.
The visitors, with the crowd behind them, drew first blood through winger William Akuila with five-eighth Solomon Pokare missing the conversion for a 4-0 lead. Gurias forwards Billy Torea, Kingston Paul, David Punion, Edward Goma and lock Francis Takai matched the more aggressive Tigers pack which saw some entertaining collisions in midfield.
The homeside had their own standouts in their pack with Tiger Emere, Rex Yallon (pictured), Paul Kambi and Sydney Fred eating up metres in their offensive sets.
The Gurias conceded a penalty within range and Tigers halfback Jason Missian made no mistake for a 4-2 in favour of the visitors at halftime before Tigers No.1 Joshua made his presence felt with two well-taken four-pointers to get his side over the line 10-4. Tigers 10 (Joe Joshua 2 tries; Jason Missian pen) Gurias 4 (William Akuila try) HT: 4-2 (Gurias).