Tarum urges Vipers to maintain consistency

By PARKER TAMBUA
COACH Leonard Tarum has warned his Port Moresby Vipers to maintain consistency after their 18-8 Digicel Cup win over Waghi Tumbe at Sir John Guise Stadium on Sunday.
The round-six triumph was the Vipers’ third-straight win and their fourth victory of the season in the country’s premier rugby league competition.
Tarum said his men appeared to have found their rhythm with five rounds of the regular season remaining before the top-six playoffs.
“We got off to a slow start this season but it’s great that we’ve settled,” he said of his fifth-placed Vipers.
“We’re starting to build consistency.
“We knew Tumbe would be tough despite them being below us on the ladder.
“I am happy that we weren’t complacent.
“We remained focused and secured a well-earned win.
“I’m happy that we are building momentum in every game.
“My players deserve praise as they’ve improved over the last three weeks.
“That’s what we need going forward.
“It’s now a challenge for us to maintain consistency for the remainder of the season.”
The Vipers have recorded four wins, one draw and a loss after six rounds of the season, which has been shortened due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vipers fullback Stargroth Amean was taken off the field in the 60th minute with a suspected knee injury.
Meanwhile, Tumbe coach Joe McConnor blamed his ninth-placed side’s poor second-half defence for their fourth loss of the season.
“We got off to a good start but we just lost our way after 20 minutes,” he said.