Thomas kicks field goal as Isou stun champions

The National Sports

A field goal by Petroleum Resources Kutubu Gulf Isou five-eighth Joshua Thomas earned his side a 13-12 win over Digicel Cup champions the Lae Snax Tigers in the season opener at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
With a minute left on the clock, Isou rake Ross Ravu fed the ball to a composed Thomas who slotted home the winner after the scores were locked at 12-12 in a gritty encounter refereed by Hanua Rupa.
The win boosted the Collin Geno-coached side’s confidence as they look to give the Digicel Cup’s household names a run for their money.
Isou drew first blood when winger To’ope Mitaharo slotted home a goal in the 29th minute after the Tigers were penalised.
However, the Tigers hit back when winger Anderson Benford scored a try on the stroke of half time.
Halfback Mafu Kalas made not mistake of the conversion, giving the Tigers a handy 6-2 lead at the break.
The Tigers picked up from where they left off, scoring another try through prop Sydney Fred after the interval. Kalas added the extras, extending the lead to 12-2.
However, Isou, determined to stay in the fight, levelled the scores with two tries and a conversion before Thomas finished off the defending champions at the death.
After the game, Geno praised his charges for their defensive effort.
“I also want to thank the Tigers for putting up a very good challenge,” he said.
“They came out hard as the defending champions.
“We made a lot of mistakes in the first half, but came back in the second and defended well.”
Meanwhile, former PNG Hunter Thompson Teteh’s two tries were not enough as the Giru Waghi Tumbe sent the NCDC Port Moresby Vipers back to the drawing board with a 26-12 win.
Tumbe, who opened the scores through former Hunter Henry Wan, had the game wrapped up in the first half after piling on 20 points to the Vipers’ four.
In the other results, the Kemele Hela Wigmen defeated PRK Mendi Muruks 14-10, the Enga Mioks saw off Goroka Lahanis 30-12 and Agmark Rabaul Gurias thrashed Simbu Warriors 24-2.