Mioks see off Warriors to claim minor title

By DOROTHY MARK
A BEEFED up Enga Mioks secured the Digicel Cup minor premiership by beating the Chimbu Warriors 34-24 in final round of the regular season at Madang’s Ron Albert Oval on Saturday.
The Mioks had current and former Hunters players Wawa Paul, Baundo Aba, Esau Siune, Eddie Dafa and Roger Laka leading them in the round 18 clash with the last-placed Warriors.
The Mioks, who led the competition from the opening round, capped off a successful season with 13 wins, four losses and two draws for No.1 finish on the standings with 28 points.
Enga governor Sir Peter Ipatas said topping the standings after a grueling 18-week season was an achievement in itself.
A proud Mioks captain Supa Kokote claiming the minor premiership was just the first step for the team who would now set it sights on the finals.
Kokote said the team had trained worked hard all season and this was a fitting reward.
Despite claiming the dreaded wooden spoon for 2018, Warriors captain Felix Tatsim said the side had tried its best in every match this season and were proud of that.
Tatsim admitted that a lack of experience and depth in the squad had put them at a disadvantage but he was pleased with their effort in the final match of the year.
“We put everything into this game pushed them,” Tatsim said.
Tatsim added that he was proud of his side’s defensive effort in the middle of the field containing the Mioks bigger pack.
The win will see the Mioks (1) sit out the first week of the finals and play the winner of the Agmark Gurias (2) and Waghi Tumbe (3) qualifying final.
The Goroka Lahanis (5) take on the Lae Tigers (4) in the elimination final. Rd 18 Results: Sat, Aug 4 – Warriors 24 Mioks 34, Wigmen 14 Tumbe 14, Isou 22 Muruks 16, Gurias 20 Tigers, Lahanis 28 Vipers 16.
Standings: Mioks 28, Gurias 27, Tumbe 24, Tigers 22, Lahanis 21, Wigmen 18, Vipers 15, Muruks 13, Isou 8, Warriors 4.