Muruks pip Tigers at home

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The National, Wednesday, May 11, 2011

By BUSTIN ANZU
LAE SNAX Tigers went down to a narrow loss to arch-rivals SBS Mendi Muruks 20-21 on Sunday.
The glut of handling errors and unnecessary penalties in the last 10 minutes of the first half saw the Muruks collecting eight straight points  though they trailed 12-10  at the break.
The cynical play by newly-named Lae franchise gave Muruks piggybacks out of their territory and gave the visitors good field position throughout the match.
Tigers led 12-4, courtesy of two early tries, for most of the first half only to be their own worst enemies letting last year’s grand finalists back into the contest.
Muruks’ defence held firm for most of the game but it was their overall patience  and discipline which gave them the slimmest of wins.
The physical clashes in centre field during the second half increased with a nervous Tigers looking to break free.
Tigers big guns in Amos Mini, James Gend, Jerry Kutz, Sydney Fred and Lawrence Goive took to the Muruks but Mendi franchise led by Joseph Omae, Wer Mark, Roy Kela, Jackson Undi and Charlie Wabo stood tall against the Tigers’ spoiling tactics.
Tigers’ Norbert Torato,  Mark Mexico and Benson Joel played strongly however Muruks found a way to win the match when it mattered and keeping their dominance of Lae.