Lahanis suffer snakebite

By GABRIEL LAHOC
HOOKER Ate Bine Wabo starred yesterday in Lae to help SNS Port Moresby Vipers storm home in the second half of their Digicel Cup clash against Bingtangor Goroka Lahanis to win 26-12.
The two visiting clubs played on a sodden field after the morning drizzle.
The general reaction from the Lahanis bench was that Madang-based referee Paul Poka’s poorly managed the game.
Because of the condition of the field, fatigue also contributed to the poor performance of both teams, with Lahanis suffering especially in their kicking department with all conversions by captain Glen Nami and fullback Adex Wera unsuccessful.
The two fullbacks, Vipers’ Josaiah Abavu and Lahanis’ Wera, grabbed two tries each.
The Vipers came out in the first half leading 6-4 after Wabo converted their first try and progressed in the second half when Wabo converted centre Israel Eliab’s try.
Another failed attempt by Nami at conversion kept the Lahanis from taking the lead after winger Danny Holle pounced on a grubber kick into the Vipers in-goal area.
Vipers secondrower Sebastian Pandia and centre Richard Kambo proved a handful in attack while the Lahanis Jackol Uwako, Yapa Kapu and Cedric Singip performed well.
Vipers next try was sheer luck when Holle lost the ball after a Wabo tackle with five-eighth Peter Paulus picking up the scraps to score.
Vipers halfback Sebuloni Ragi Jr also capitalised on a break from Samuel Koim to race away and score minutes later under the post, with Wabo successful again with his kick to take the lead to 22-8.
A miscued drop goal saw Lahanis secondrower Supa Kokote gather in the loose ball to race 60m to bring the Goroka score to 22-12.
The Vipers reasserted themselves when Wabo intercepted a stray Lahanis pass to score the final points for a 26-12 win.