Lahanis edge Helas

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

THE Bintangor Goroka Lahanis only just managed to beat newcomers Kemele Hela Wigmen 12-10 in a Digicel Cup nail-biter before a large crowd at the Late Joe Keviame Oval in Mendi yesterday.

The return of top class rugby was a welcome sight for the Houthern Highlanders despite the loss of one of two of their home teams.

The Lahanis, despite not looking their usual fearsome selves, struggled to complete their sets but made use of the few opportunities they had to scrape through with the win.

Lahanis assistant coach Michael Moses said it was always tough playing away with their new-look outfit with only veterans Nicks Ubile and George Abba to add experience to their game.

“Despite our two first up wins we know it’s only going to get tougher and this grinding win can only lift our tempo,” Moses said.

The Wigmen did not give their more experienced campaigners any opportunities and could have caused an upset had they only held onto the ball and converted their kicks.

Unlike their spurring performance against the Vipers, the Wigmen dropped countless balls, missed two conversions and opted not to kick three penalties within range, which came back to haunt them at the final whistle.

Despite taking an early 2-0 lead the Wigmen bombed an early try to winger Spiro Thomas and could have had the ascendency and this ultimately would comeback to haunt them.