Muruks, Gurias clash

By PARKER TAMBUA and MICHAEL WARTOVO
MENDI Muruks fullback Dickson Pipi says tomorrow’s match against the Rabaul Gurias at Kokopo’s Kalabond Oval in Kokopo will be the biggest test for his side so far this season in the Digicel Cup.
The 23-year-old who was only shifted from the centres to fullback after round one replacing the injured Sylvester Bulu, told The National yesterday that the Gurias at home were hard to beat but the Muruks were confident and were playing good football to match the East New Britons.
“Kalabond is a graveyard but I think we (Muruks) have a decent record with the number of times we have won there,” said the lower Mendi native.
“Records shows that when Joseph Omai (Muruks legend) was the captain back in 2008 and 2009 the Muruks went to Kalabond and came out victorious both times.
“The recent one, which I was part of, was last year (2019). We defeated the Gurias 10-6 on their home turf.
“So to be honest the boys are not buying into the slogan ‘graveyard’, performing on field is what matters and it will depend on how we turn up on game day. This will be a real test for us, if we want to be considered as serious contenders for the title then this is the game that we have to win.
“This year has been a blessing for us, with the inclusion of experienced players like Stanton (Albert), Junior Rau, Wesa Tenza and Mark Mexico.
“We have been going strong and we just have to maintain that.”
Pipi said he wanted make a difference in terms of his own performance and he was hoping for a good game.
“I’ve enjoyed every game this season but for this one (against Gurias) I really have to be on top of my game.”
Meanwhile, the Gurias will be aiming for an improved performance after Saturday’s 14-14 draw with 2018 champions Goroka Lahanis.
The fourth-placed Gurias will be counting on home advantage to get a win and leapfrog the Muruks, who are second.
“We just need to polish up on the basics like ball security and defending as a team,” Gurias manager Mapua Tamtu said.
“We ran out of steam in the dying minutes of Saturday’s draw against a spirited Lahanis side. We lost a lot of possession which proved costly.”