Muruks eye minor title

Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA
SECOND-PLACED Mendi Muruks are keen to avoid dropping points in the three remaining Digicel Cup regular rounds as they attempt to claim the minor premiership.
The Petroleum Resources Kutubu-sponsored side are level on points with Tigers but the Lae Biscuit Company-backed ladder leaders have a better differential after round eight.
The Muruks will face Agmark-sponsored Rabaul Gurias, who nearly handed the Tigers a second-straight loss last weekend, at the Lae Rugby League Ground on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
It will be a tough run home for the Muruks as they will face fellow title contenders Tigers and giant-slaying Port Moresby Vipers in the final two rounds after the Gurias clash.
Muruks coach Roderick Puname said his men still needed improvement despite an impressive start to the season.
“Despite the (38-4) scoreline against Central Dabaris, we still need to work on our attack,” the former SP Hunters assistant coach said last week.
“We should never be complacent regardless of how well we’re doing on the ladder.
“It’s great to get wins but we need to work on ball security ahead of the Gurias match.
“We will face the Tigers and Vipers after the Gurias game, so that will give us an indication of where we are and how we should approach the finals. “
If we can repeat our performance against the Dabaris, we should have a good chance at claiming the minor premiership.”
Meanwhile, the sixth-placed Gurias, who boast 13 grand final appearances and six premierships, will be determined for a win after they came up agonisingly short in a controversial match against the Tigers. Fixtures: Sun, Aug 1 — Wigmen v Cutters, Vipers v Isou, Eagles v Lahanis, Tumbe v Dabaris, Muruks v Gurias, Mioks v Tigers.