Premiers thrash Dabaris

By LARRY ANDREW
TIGERS recruit Aigaewa Palo scored a hat-trick as the reigning champions beat Central Dabaris 38-14 in the opening round of the Digicel Cup in the Morobe capital on Sunday.
In the earlier match of the Lae Rugby League Ground double-header, Mendi Muruks triumphed over West New Britain’s Kimbe Cutters 22-12.
It was the first Tigers win for new coach Oscar Tonga who took over from Digicel Cup premiership winner and now South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Hunters assistant coach Stanley Tepend.
Led by veteran captain Roy Kela, the Lae Biscuit Company-backed Tigers opened the scoring through halfback Milex Winis and five-eighth Joshua Mire converted the try for a 6-0 lead.
The home side extended their lead with Palo scoring the first try of his hat-trick and Mire converted the extras for a 12-0 lead.
But the Central government-sponsored Dabaris re-grouped to send fullback Morea Morea over for an unconverted try to trail 4-12.
The Steve Gunua-coached visitors tried to match the intensity of the Tigers, but were outsmarted when Winis put in a grubber kick for dual-code flyer Max Vali to score out wide.
Mire converted the extras from the sideline to increase the Tigers’ lead to 18-4.
Four minutes from halftime, a Dabaris mistake gifted Palo with a try on the right edge and Mire made sure of the conversion for a handy 24-4 lead.
But the Tigers were not done yet as Palo pounced on a Dabaris turnover at the halfway mark to dash 50m to score an unconverted try on the stroke of halftime. The Tigers led 28-4 at the break.
Dabaris came back strongly after the break with their forwards paving the way for centre Makara Hura to open the second-half scoring on the left edge.
Second-rower Tekila Kini ensured a successful sideline conversion for the Dabaris to trail 14-28. They then gained the ascendency to set up winger Douglas Pirik for another try, albeit unconverted.
The Dabaris’ determination to rise to the occasion and the Tigers’ eagerness to kill the contest saw scrappy rugby league from both teams.
But the Dabaris eventually cracked when Cedric Maima and former Mt Hagen Eagle Philemon Kimisive overpowered some ordinary defending to seal the victory in front of their home supporters.
Dabaris coach Gunua said the game was tough despite his men attempting a second-half comeback.
“Our defence was very poor, so we’ll work on it before our game against Gulf Isou,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tonga said the win was not without its mistakes.
“We’re working on our halves combination with Mire playing well on debut,” he said.
“But I’m happy with the win.”