Lahanis force Gurias draw

A LAST-MINUTE try by the Goroka Lahanis winger Sefa Dait forced a 14-14 draw with the Rabaul Gurias during round six of the Digicel Cup in Lae on Saturday.
The match which was initially scheduled for Kalabond Oval in Kokopo was moved to the Lae Rugby League Ground due to air travel issues.
The second-placed Gurias were first on the board with a try to second rower Tuvi Lepan seven minutes into the game with five-eighth Allan Simbiri adding the extras to put the East New Britons 6-0 in front.
The Lahanis, who only claimed their first win of the 2020 season last week over the Dabaris, kept their nerve and rolled up through the middle with their pack led by veteran Gonzella Urakusie.
Hard-running back-rower Kumani Agumagu along with Aeno Lasuwo, Ake Paluse and Nuabe Kuipa ensured the Eastern Highlanders had front-foot ball which saw Dait cross for the reply in the 19th minute.
Hooker and captain Charlie Buka leveled the scores.
The Gurias regained the lead with a try to centre Eliakim Lukara in the 30th minute for a 10-6 lead which they took to halftime.
The Gurias started off the second 40 minutes with a try to fullback Terry Wapi which came after Lepan stripped Paluse of the ball in a one-on-one tackle.
The Lahanis stayed competitive and got a break when referee Paul Wani ruled a lost ball by the Gurias and from the ensuing scrum and set Agumagu broke the line and ran in to score a crucial try to give the men in red a chance at 14-10.
The Goroka Lahanis earned their next stroke of fortune when they forced a line dropout with a minute remaining on the clock.
The frantic final set saw Dait put a kick through for himself and beat No.1 Wapi to the ball for the equalising try.
Lahanis coach Michael Moses said after the game that his side stepped up their game to take on a top side.
Gurias coach Marcus Kaugla said his side started the game strongly and scored tries but lost the me momentum at crucial stages.