Tigers eyeing minor title

By PARKER TAMBUA
REIGNING champions Lae Tigers will be aiming for minor honours when they face the Hela Wigmen in a grand-final rematch in Port Moresby on Sunday (3.15pm kick-off).
Three points ahead of the second-placed Rabaul Gurias, the Tigers can claim the Digicel Cup minor premiership with just one win from their remaining two matches of the regular season.
Coach Stanley Tepend’s men, who boast the best attack in the competition, are yet to drop points this season as they remain on course to win their fourth title in five years.
But despite Saturday’s 8-36 round-nine loss to the best defensive side in the Gurias, hosts Wigmen remain upbeat about avenging their 4-15 defeat in last year’s grand final.
“Obviously, a win against the ladder-leading Tigers would be great for our confidence,” Wigmen coach Charlie Wabo told The National ahead of the Sir John Guise Stadium clash.
“But the Tigers are a tough side and it will not be an easy task, especially after coming off last week’s loss with injuries to five of my men, including Stanford Talita and Gilmo Paul.
“I want to field a fit side and not risk my injured players.
“I am not sure if they will recover before Sunday but I’m just hoping things work out. Otherwise, I’ll field fringe players who I believe can fill the void.”
In the other match of Port Moresby’s double-header, cellar dwellers Gulf Isou will meet Waghi Tumbe (1pm).
The Mt Hagen Eagles will face the Goroka Lahanis at John Ambane Oval in Minj, Jiwaka, tomorrow (2pm).
At Kimbe’s Humphreys Oval tomorrow (2pm), the sixth-placed Cutters will host their first match of the season when they face Ase Boas’ Port Moresby Vipers.
Cutters manager Freddy Kumai said they would count on a fast start and home advantage to help them unsettle the Vipers, who will be eager to maintain their spot in the top-four. Fixtures: Sat, Sept 12 — Kimbe Cutters v Port Moresby Vipers, Rabaul Gurias v Central Dabaris, Mt Hagen Eagles v Goroka Lahanis; Sun, Sept 13 — Enga Mioks v Mendi Muruks, Gulf Isou v Waghi Tumbe, Lae Tigers v Hela Wigmen.