Muruks stop Gurias

THE Mendi Muruks made it three wins from three games in 2023 after a convincing 18-2 victory over visiting Rabaul Gurias in the final match of Digicel ExxonMobil Cup’s third round in Lae yesterday.
The Southern Highlands franchise sponsored by Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK) are one of three undefeated sides in Papua New Guinea’s top tier rugby league competition – the others are Enga Mioks and Lae Snax Tigers.
The Roderick Puname-coached Muruks have the number one slot thanks to a better points differential.
Guided by crafty No.7 Stanley Olo, the Muruks in their predominantly black kit were on the scoreboard after the halfback hoisted a bomb which in-form centre Clent Lama claimed to score on the left edge for an unconverted try after four minutes of play at the Lae Rugby League ground.
The East New Britons regrouped and ran several sets testing the Muruks defence but could not convert that possession and pressure into points.
The visitors morale were further dented when referee Manau Kema penalised them for a holding-down infringement and the Muruks were able to add another two points off the boot of Lama for a 6-0 halftime lead.
The second half started with the Agmark-backed islanders lifting their intensity and looking to get on the scoreboard.
Guiras five-eighth Ase Boas copped a high shot and the resulting penalty allowed him to post two points for his side to trail 2-6.
Muruks forward Jojo Walames grounded a grubber out of dummy-half by inter-change player and debutant Kumul Kaupa for the Southern Highlanders to surge ahead 10-2.
The match became scrappy and unruly in spots and Muruks back-rower Ismael Waine paid the price for his defensive over-exuberance when he was marched off the field by referee Kema for a 10-minute spell in the bin.
Despite having the extra man in the line, the Gurias could not find a four-pointer and compounded their luck with a sin-binning of their own when prop Daniel Pai was sent to the sheds for a swinging arm on Lama.
Muruks No.6 David Joseph slotted the penalty to stretch the lead to 12-2 and demoralise the men in red and green.
The Muruks capped another solid effort with a try in the 78th minute with Joseph goaling for an 18-2 final score.
Coach Puname was satisfied with his side’s performance saying the Muruks had lost three times to the Gurias last season and squaring the ledger was a priority and motivation for them.
He added that five of the Muruks squad had also joined the Kokopo-based franchised over the offseason and that had fueled his men to want to put in a memorable effort against their mates.
Gurias coach Francis Ray said it had been a tough game to prepare for and put the lackluster effort down to a high error count and an inability to stay composed.
“We had lot of scoring opportunities but the boys took wrong options and gave away a lot of ball and that’s what led to us losing the game,” he said.
“There are lot of areas we need to improve on and we are building a new team this year with a lot of new faces after some of our boys moved on after last year’s grand final, but we are not using that as an excuse for the loss.”