Tatsim rescues Lahanis

 By ZACHERY PER

THE Goroka Lahanis leading try-scorer Bernard Tatsim Junior yesterday came off the bench to score two tries to help his side defeat Simbu Lions 22-14 at the National Sports Institute in Goroka.

 Tatsim grabbed the first try of the second half and sealed off with another two minutes before full time.

The lock was named man-of-the-match for his efforts as the game was in the balance at 16-14 with minutes on the clock.

The visitors put up a much-improved performance, wasted no time to score through winger Ben Wemin to put them into an early 4-0 lead. The conversion attempt by Willie Guambo went begging 4-0.

The home side replied through hard-running forward Supa Kokote midway into the first half, Kevin Inagafa’s boot could not find the uprights leaving a 4-4 deadlock.

Match referee Tony Kuni refused two tries to Lions ruling forward passes,but the Simbus were not to be denied with winger Robert Davis burrowing through the Lahanis defenders to score under the post. Guambo converted to put Lions in front 10-4.

Lahanis towering prop Gonzella Urakusie was set up by half back Robin Soga to smash through the Lions defence to score an unconverted try to draw level again at the break.

With a K500 incentive to score tries  Tatsim Jnr opened his acount early in the second half for a 16-10 lead before the lions hit back through Wemin to close the gap to two points.

Tatsin Jnr capped off an eye-catching cameo off the bench with 30-metre run that ended in the match-winning try in the 78th minute.

Lahanis coach Peter Warlock admitted afterwards that his side had struggled when they should have won comfortably.