Lahanis upset Muruks

By ROBINSON LEKA
A LATE field goal by halfback Robin Soga saw the last-placed Goroka Lahanis spring a 21-20 upset win over Mendi Muruks in round five of the Digicel Cup in Port Moresby yesterday.
The opener in Sunday’s Port Moresby double-header at the Oil Search National Football Stadium saw a quiet start with the Muruks crossing over early via second-rower Warren Glare.
The Lahanis responded with two unconverted tries to centre Manu Olam and winger Sefa Dait to grab an 8-6 lead at halftime.
The Muruks bounced back early in the second half with Glare getting his double and ensuring the conversion for a 10-8 lead.
But that was short-lived with an improved Lahanis backline adding two tries to their tally via Dait and rake Charlie Buka to see them in front 20-10.
The Muruks’ pack delivered their third try via lock Julius Yakopa for a 16-20 scoreline and the Lahanis responded with the field goal 13 minutes from fulltime.
Soga’s field goal proved the difference as the Glare failed to convert Muruks fullback Dickson Pipi’s try one minute from fulltime.
“It’s a good feeling to get the first win and the boys have executed a lot of things that we’ve been going through during the week,” Lahanis head coach Gonzella Urakusie said.