Purring Lions wary of sudden slump in form in Digicel Cup

 THE Simbu Lions may be the big improvers in the Digicel Cup in 2015 but franchise owner Gerard Phillip says his side is still susceptible to mini form slumps.

Despite beating the Agmark Gurias 12-10 at Dickson Oval, Kundiawa, last Sunday, Phillip, pictured, said the performance was not as good as the effort his side put in against the Lae Tigers in the previous match.

The newcomer Lions won that game 18-0.

“Compared to the Tigers’ game this was not as good,” he said. 

“We just dropped too much ball, bad set completions and false passes. 

“The game was riddled with mistakes not just from my boys but from the Gurias as well, so it wasn’t a great performance even though we won,” Phillip said. “I think our defence was what won it for us.

“We need to aim for the kind of game we played against the Tigers. 

“Our only problem was that after that great game we had an extra weekend off and the players relaxed too much and lost that discipline and momentum. We will have to play the same way we played the Tigers a number of times this season if we are going to go far.”

Phillip admitted that it was difficult getting the team back on track after breaks but it was something the team was constantly addressing.

“Sometimes I have to scream at them (players) to get them to focus and get serious but they are a team with some talented players.”

Phillip said fullback Tony Wemin had impressed him with his consistency, while the rest of the squad were young and still learning and developing.

“We have some talent in this squad and a player like Tony Wemin has been playing well on a regular basis, there are positives.”