Lahanis soar

 THE Rabaul Gurias unbeaten run since the Digicel Cup grand final last year is over.

The first heavyweight clash of the competition in the fourth round saw the Goroka Lahanis rule 21-10 at home at the National Sports Institute ground in Goroka yesterday.

The Lahanis kept their visitors scoreless in the second half after leading 16-10 at the break. 

The win means the Lahanis take the top spot with eight points on the ladder.

In the other round four matches, the Lae Tigers scored a well-earned 24-12 win over the Enga Mioks, while in the other notable result the Port Moresby Vipers thrashed the Mendi Muruks 44-12 at the Joe Keviame Oval, in Mendi.

The loss capped off a strong showing from the capital city franchise who won in Wabag the previous week.  

In Port Moresby, Gulf Isapea held off the Simbu Lions 32-28 in a thriller. 

The Isapea took the game to the Lions in the first half but had to fight off a spirited fightback from the Kundiawa-based side in the final quarter.

The result saw the Isapeas score their first consecutive wins since joining the competition in 2011. 

In Mt Hagen, the Mt Hagen Eagles ensured the Hela Wigmen remain winless after four rounds with a workmanlike 24-10 win at Rebiamul oval.

Despite a good showing the visitors are still a work in progress and the Eagles never looked in trouble of losing at home.