Lahanis get 2nd win

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE Goroka Lahanis registered their second victory of the season with a 28-16 win over hosts Gulf Isou in round seven of the Digicel Cup in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Sir John Guise Stadium fixture saw Isou halfback Nick Hasu face his former teammates, who were under the guidance of acting head coach Gonzela Urakusie.
The Lahanis crossed over two minutes in with an unconverted try to winger Sefa Dait on their left edge.
But Isou responded with two quick tries to second-rower John Koivi and winger Winston Weni to grab a 10-4 lead.
The Lahanis re-took the lead with five-eighth Absolom Lingas and Ake Paluse scoring a try each to give the visitors a 14-10 lead at halftime. The visitors shot to a 28-10 lead after they picked up from where they left off in the opening stanza with second-half tries by SP Hunter Brendan Nima, Jordan Millie and Manu Solly.
Isou’s Alwyn Kevaru ended the scoring with a consolation try.
Skipper Urakusie praised the Lahanis’ strong defensive effort, which he said had played a key role in their 14-14 draw with the Rabaul Gurias in round six. “We’ve improved greatly in our defence on both edges,” he said after the match.
“The Gurias draw had boosted our confidence. We had a lot of energy heading into the Isou match.”
Urakusie said he would return to the field for the Lahanis’ round-eight match against defending champions and ladder leaders Lae Tigers.