Mioks shock Lahanis

THE conclusion of round one of the 2012 Digicel Cup season has produced one of the biggest upsets with defending premiers Bintangor Goroka Lahanis crashing to a humiliating 32-20 defeat to the Enga Mioks.
In other results yesterday, Stop N Shop Port Moresby Vipers belted last year’s wooden spooners Prima Gulf Isapeas 26-8 in the nation’s capital; Agmark Rabaul Gurias beat Wantok Gaming System Mt Hagen Eagles 20-12 in a dour season opener at Kalabond field in Kokopo and Snax Lae Tigers   thrashed Structural Bridging Systems Mendi Muruks 31-10 at the Lae rugby league ground.  
At the National Sports Institute in Goroka, the homeside had a forgetful day as the Engans finally broke a perennial hoodoo beating the Lahanis on their home turf for the first time – and in convincing fashion.
Mioks coach Timothy Lepa said his side had gone into the contest focusing on a positive outcome coupled with a nothing-to-lose attitude after being virtually written off as a threat pre-match.
“We created a bit of history here today by beating the Lahanis for the first time in Goroka.”
“We had never beaten the Lahanis in Goroka since the beginning of the inter-city concept and to do it in round one gives us so much confidence for 2012,” a pleased Lepa said.
This means the Mioks have now got a 22-year-old monkey off their backs (SP Inter City Cup started in 1990) and with a home game against the highly regarded Rabaul Gurias in round two the Engans have the perfect opportunity to show the fans their first round heroics was no aberration.
The signs were there already that the Lahanis would not be the dominant side they were last season when they suffered a 28-18 loss to the Lae Tigers also in Goroka last week in a trial match.
And despite a fairly impressive first 40 minutes by the premiers, they could only manage to go to the break locked at 16-16 to a supposedly inferior Engan  side.
Lepa acknowledged that his side, which only had one training session three days before the match, surprised everyone with a gritty display.
“We had to fight for it (victory). They didn’t just hand it (victory) to us on a plate. They’re still a quality side and showed as much in the first half but we managed to stay in the game.”
For the Mioks, four players stood out with former Simbu Warriors recruit Tiger Emere, Roger Laka (previously with Vipers), Pasu Awani and Charlie John having influential performances.
Laka, who started at halfback directed play well and kicked well in general play as well at goal.
For the Lahanis, this early setback should not pose  a major problem as they still have the quality players to be a force in 2012. The road to a third title defence starts next Sunday in Lae when they face fellow round one losers Muruks.