Tigers maul Muruks in clash of Lae teams

THE Snax Lae Tigers got their 2012 season off to a great start by beating SBS Mendi Muruks 31-10 in a local derby.
Both sides are based in Lae with the Tigers being the city’s flag carrier while the Muruks are transplanted Southern Highlanders.
The game was practically over by halftime with the Tigers having scored 21 unanswered points to lead at the break by that margin.
In the second half Tigers gave their fans more to cheer about as they were the first were first to open the score sheet followed by Muruks staging a face-saving comeback scoring two tries with one conversion successful.
But it was never going to be enough to corral the big cats who finished the afternoon in style with a try to bring the score to 31-10.
Captain Mark Mexico and Sydney Fred, the stand-outs from last year, paved the way for a rejuvenated Tigers’ outfit.
The man-of-the-match went to Tigers scheming halfback Mai Tom.
Tigers coach Steve Malum said the players  had potential but needed to follow a set structure and play as a unit.
“Our win today was possible by discipline and superior fitness.”