Muruks knock off Tigers in top-of-the-table clash

By LARRY ANDREW
A PERFECT four from four off the boot by Mendi Muruks halfback Josiah Jimmy saw his side clinch an 8-4 win over the Lae Snax Tigers in the Morobe capital yesterday.
Although the Southern Highlands franchise were kept try-less for the entire round 10 encounter it was new recruit Jimmy’s calm and sure goal kicking which inflicted the Tigers’ second loss of the season and sees coach Rodrick Puname’s side take the top spot in the Digicel Cup standings with a round left in the regular season.
A pleased Puname said the win was built on a committed defensive effort which held up especially over the final quarter of the match.
He said the side were lucky that Jimmy managed to kick four penalty goals throughout the course of match and backed up their No.7 by rising to match the home side.
The only blemish was conceding a try against the run of play to Lae flier Max Vali early in the second half.
“Defensively, it was a good effort from the boys and going into the finals, defence, is the thing that wins the games and it was positive for us,” he said.
Puname said while his side failed to score a four-pointer they played with intensity and purpose and did not mind playing “boring” rugby but would work on their attack for the final round.
He said the Muruks were not guaranteed the minor premiership as they had to beat the Port Moresby Vipers in the final round (11) while the Tigers would face the lowly Kimbe Cutters.
The error riddled match saw a couple of scuffles between the sides with three players — Tigers Roy Kela and Joshua Lau and Muruks Levi Andrew — sent to cool off in the sin bin. Some fans also expressed their frustration with the dour proceedings by throwing objects on to the field.
The halftime score was 2-0 to the Muruks with Jimmy knocking over a penalty after the Tigers were pinged for holding a player down too long.
Muruks 8 (Joshia Jimmy 4 pen) Tigers 4 (Max Vali try). Halftime: 2-0 (Muruks) at Lae Rugby League Oval.