Loko runs wild in Wabag

 By PHILIP KEPSON

THE return of the lost son David Loko, pictured, to the Enga Mioks with a morale boosting performance gave the Engans what they needed most – a 26-4 thrashing of Mendi Muruks to record their second straight win in the Digicel Cup.

After leaving Mioks fans in Enga and elsewhere disappointed for weeks following speculation Loko had signed up with the Hela Wigmen, the lad from Kagua, Southern Highlands, took the spectators by surprise yesterday when he ran onto the field with the Mioks and scored three tries in a row within 15 minutes to set up the win.

Loko, who is a favourite performer at the Johnson Siki Oval, picked up a long pass from halfback Roger Laka at the 20m line and ran through the Muruks defence for a touchdown under the uprights. Roger converted to take an early 6-0 lead.

Loko made the spectators go crazy with untamed screams when he scored his second converted try in the 10th minute to put the Julian O’Neill-coached team under pressure.

A member of the World Cup training squad, Loko the Johnson Siki Oval faithful on thier feet when he picked up a well-timed pass from five-eighth Mai Tom in centre field before knocking down three defenders to score between the uprights to give Laka an easy conversion to put his fellow Southern Highlanders under even more pressure at 18-0.

The Muruks did not give up, with captain Wesly Benny yapping at the heels of his big forwards in the likes of Andrew Buka, Toto Pawa and Vincent King to keep hitting the Mioks defence.

Their efforts paid off after 35 minutes with an unconverted try at the far right from a loose ball that allowed fullback Richard Mapi to score.

The Muruks tried to make improvements in the second half, mostly in defence to hold the homeside at bay. 

But the halves combination of Roger and Mai in the ruck area, with hard running outside centre Pasu Awani and leading backline defender Tiger Emere playing their duties, snuffed out a Mendi comeback. 

The Mioks had the added advantage of rampaging runs from Loko, Esau Siune and Emmanuel Saar to create more opportunities to score two more tries in the remaining 10 minutes through winger Tautau Noi and Sonny Daing to end the game 26-4.