Pai bracing for strong finish with Gurias this season

By MICHAEL PHILIP
RABAUL Guria Daniel Pai says he is still far from his best despite the prop having a good Digicel Cup season so far with the second-placed team.
The former Waghi Tumbe and Hela Wigmen forward told The National that he was unable to play as many minutes as he would have liked with the Highlands franchises over the past two seasons.
But Pai said he was grateful to the Agmark-sponsored Gurias for retaining him in their line-up each week.
“I have improved a lot at the Gurias this season,” he said.
“I’m playing more minutes compared with the past two seasons.
“This year, the Gurias have given me the opportunity to realise what I am capable of on the field.
“I think I have improved my performances.
“But I’d like to continue improving as a forward.”
Pai said he would look to remain consistent upon the resumption of matches from a two-week competition-wide break.
The 29-year-old Mt Hagen native said the whole team were looking to continue their strong form in a bid to dethrone Mendi Muruks from the top spot on the 12-team ladder.
Meanwhile, Gurias coach Francis Ray said all his players had been released for the break.
“Our players from outside East New Britain travelled home on Sunday,” he said amid the general election-enforced break. Voting is everyone’s business, so the club management has taken the responsibility to send players back to their home provinces to cast their vote.” Ray said his players had been given training programmes to maintain their fitness while away on break.
“We are not letting them go just to get out there and take part in voting,” he said. “The players know what to do.
“When they come back, we’ll run fitness tests before resuming training for the remainder of the season.”

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