Lae Tigers survive Muruks scare

LARRY ANDREW
THE Mendi Muruks put the Tigers’ defence to the test before the hosts won 22-12 in round nine of the Digicel Cup in Lae on Sunday.
The Muruks opened the scoring with an unconverted try through winger Leon Undipia before halfback Milex Winis added another four-pointer to give the visitors an 8-0 lead.
The Muruks then put on a solid defence to deny the home side from scoring until the 30th minute.
The Tigers’ try came via a break made by interchange Sylvester Namo who set up Edwin Ipape to score under the uprights with hooker Noel Joel adding the two points to trail 6-8.
In wet conditions, both sides were guilty of poor ball security but the Tigers managed to score their second try through winger Butler Morris — the first of his double — to take a 10-8 lead at halftime.
After a pep talk by coach Stanley Tepend, defending champions Tigers scored out wide through winger Sonny Wabo after a couple of plays off a Muruks drop-out 10 minutes into the second half.
Playmaker Charlie Simon added the extras for a 16-8 lead.
With the game intensifying, the Muruks kept asking questions of the Tigers defence before SP Hunter Junior Rau found some room to score out wide to trail 12-16.
Feeling the pressure from, the Tigers tightened their defence and were relieved when Morris crossed over for his second try after the hosts decided to run the ball on the last tackle.
Simon converted the extras to seal the win.