Mioks wary of Tumbe

By MELTON PAIS
MINOR premiers Enga Mioks head into their Digicel Cup major semifinal revitalised after a two-week break ready to tame the Waghi Tumbe in Lae on Sunday.
The winners book the first grand final berth and the losers meet the Gurias-Lahanis winner in the preliminary final next week.
Little separates the sides with the Mioks edging a 10-4 home win in round 3 while their round 12 clash ended in a 18-18 draw.
The two province’s governors, Jiwaka’s Dr William Tongamp and Enga’s Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas are expected at the Lae Rugby League.
The double-header kicks off with the minor semifinal with last year’s grand finalists the Agmark Gurias set to tangle with the Goroka Lahanis.
Mioks coach Timothy Lepa said they had had a good rest and were fresh — and were packing the heat with stars Wawa Paul, Esau Siune and Baundo Aba led by the indefatigable Supa Kokote.
Lepa said despite beating the Chimbu Warriors 34-24 in round 18, he was not happy with the defensive effort and it was something they had worked hard on over the last two weeks to address.
“We’ve focused on being better defensively and we need to because the Tumbe are in strong form and are confident,” Lepa said.
Playmaker Roger Laka is unavailable for the game with Joseph Wesley coming to partner Nathan Millie in the halves.
Tumbe have been one of the competition’s most consistent teams and have done it off their own unheralded talent but the inclusion of Kumul stars Garry Lo and Henry Wan have complemented coach Francis Ray’s game plans.
Meanwhile, coach Glen Nami’s Goroka Lahanis are out to add further misery to the Gurias’ 2018 finals effort when they face off in the early afternoon fixture.
Lahanis backs Amos Kafare, Brendan Nima, Pasu Awani and Norman Brown hold the key for their team as they will need to contain the Gurias backs.
The Gurias led by former Hunters Edward Goma and Tuvi Lepan face another tough assignment against a rugged Highlands outfit and will need to win the battle in the middle third to unleash their backline.