Premiers Wigmen snap losing streak

HELA Wigmen ended their losing streak as they bounced back with 22-14 win over Kimbe Cutters inround nine of the Digicel Cup at the Oil Search National Football Stadium yesterday.
Papua New Guinea nines representative Stanford Talita starred in the win, setting up two tries and he scored one himself as the defending premiers got back in the winner’s circle.
Wigmen coach Charlie Wabo said he was happy with the win despite a few errors in their game.
“A win is a win and we’ll take it, it’s a relief to end the losing streak,” the PNG Kumuls legend said.
“At this stage, we are not too worried about our place on the ladder.
“All we care about is taking each game as it comes and our place will take care of itself on the ladder.”
The Cutters scored first through winger John Paul in the opening 10 minutes but Justin Yoka missed the conversion for a 4-0 lead.
The Wigmen responded in the 24th minute through a Junior Igila try but Allan Simbiri couldn’t convert the extras as scores were levelled.
Ten minutes later, some individual brilliance by Talita helped him score beside the uprights and Simbiri converted the extras for a 10-4 lead.
Wigmen forward Atua Ngoya scored on the next set off the restart. Simbiri made no mistake with the conversion as the Wigmen went to the break with a handy 16-4 lead.
The Cutters came back strong early in the second half and their efforts paid off when Yoka found second-rower Elijah Roltinga to score under the uprights.
Yoka’s conversion saw Cutters trail 10-16 in the 49th minute. But the Cutters dropped off after Roltinga’s try, allowing the Kroton-sponsored Wigmen regain momentum.
Wigmen forward Manu Kame barged his way over the tryline to extend their lead to 22-10 with Simbiri’s successful conversion.
The Cutters scored a consolation try through Antony Longa on the stroke of fulltime.