Lae Tigers thwart Dabaris fightback

DEFENDING champions Lae Tigers escaped a late Central Dabaris comeback to win 22-14 in their Digicel Cup elimination final at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Lae Biscuit Company-back Tigers will meet Hela Wigmen in Sunday’s minor semifinal after the Kroton-sponsored side edged Enga Mioks 20-18 in earlier elimination final.
The Tigers led 22-4 in 65th minute when the Dabaris clawed their way back in the contest with a try to Morea Morea Jr.

Five minutes later, captain Whallan Tau-Loi scored for the Dabaris in the corner. Simon Arana’s conversion saw the Dabaris trail 14-22.
The Steven Gunua-coached side left nothing in the tank as they tried to score a couple more tries, but the Tigers’ defence held on.
Dabaris centre Lega Batia made a break and dived over in the corner, but the bunker disallowed the try after the ball was placed on the touchline.

The visitors were on the front foot right from the kick-off when they scored through Milex Winis in the 12th minute. The conversion was unsuccessful.
The Dabaris responded four minutes later when centre William Bire scored in the corner to level the scores with an unconverted try.

Sanny Wabo scored for the Tigers 10 minutes before halftime which saw his side lead 10-4 after a successful conversion by Nicky Hasu.
The Tigers extended their lead to 16-4 when Shallom Bire made a break to score near the uprights in the 39th minute.
Wabo completed his double early in the second half to extend the Tigers’ lead to 22-4 before the

Dabaris staged a comeback.
Interim Tigers coach Charlie Wabo said after the game that he was unhappy with his men’s attack despite the win.
“Our defence was outstanding,” he said.
“But we need improve our attack in the semifinal.”
Results: Sun, Sept 4 – Wigmen 20 Mioks 18, Tigers 22 Dabaris 14.