Tigers claw off Vipers
The National, Monday 13th May 2013
By GABRIEL LAHOC
IT is four out of four for Lae Tigers at the Lae Rugby League (LRL) ground after the Morobeans put a dent in the Stop N Shop Port Moresby Vipers two-game streak with a 24-6 win yesterday.
The LRL known as the Tigers’ “den” is shaping up to be a fortress for the once lowly Lae team.
It was a victory built on constructive defence featuring gang tackles on the visitors who were littered with representative class.
The Vipers defended as if they had points in them and did not mind leaking some themselves.
The Tigers forwards made good yards up the middle giving their backline the time and space to exploit the Vipers line. Lae hooker Noel Joel was the perfect link man between the pack and the backs.
Tigers centre Joe Kingal crashed over for the first try at the left side in the 4th minute to set the pace for his team, who later bookended the four-try team effort with his second in the second half.
Tigers halfback Ate Bine Wabo slotted a penalty goal to make up for his misconversion early on before the Vipers rebounded back through captain Larson Marabe’s solo effort to shake off three defenders to dive over for a try for a 6-6 score line at the break.
The Tigers started well in the second half with better set completions and solid defence to keep the Vipers at bay.
Vipers hooker Charlie Wabo, along with Marabe were on the receiving end of some big hits, while halves Sebulon Ragi Jnr and halfback John Jerry were unable to instigate any meaningful raids.
Bina Wabo chimed in with a 40-20 from which captain Sydney Fred scored a try in the 52nd minute to regain the lead 12-6.
Winger George Benson scored not long after to give the Tigers a 18-6 lead before Kingal’s second closed the scoring.
Tigers coach Stanley Tepend put down the victory to a his side controlling the ruck area through their go-forward led by forwards Petro Sanivalu, Mogi Wei Jnr and PM’s XIII representative Roy Kela.
The Tigers take on the struggling Mendi Muruks next Sunday in Lae and on current form, they should notch a fifth win.