Tigers maul Vipers

 By JACK AMI
A MUCH fitter and better organised Lae Tigers mauled the Port Moresby Vipers 28-10 in the Digicel Cup’s round two rugby league clash at the National Football Stadium yesterday.
The Tigers’ 18-point victory margin was a clear indication that the 2014 and 2015 minor premiers from Lae had not lost any of their form from last year despite having a bye in the opening round last week.
The Vipers, on the other hand, will be looking for a complete performance from their roster which is high on experience but has been shown up in the two matches played so far.
The Tigers took a 12-8 into the change rooms at halftime.
The Vipers got their 2016 campaign off to a less than stellar start last week losing 18-16 to last year’s wooden spooners, the Gulf Isapea, and this result will only heap more pressure on novice coach Glen Nami, pictured, as well as the big names in his squad.
The general observation was that the capital city franchise seemed off the pace and unable to cope with the visitors’ intensity.
Of more concern for organisers would be the low turnout of fans to watch the Sunday afternoon fixture. An estimated 900 people came through the gates to watch the home side take on one of the earlier title contenders in the Tigers.
Whether the NFS has a structural issue or a promotional one, an answer must be found in order for the 15,000-capacity venue to turn a profit of some kind from the semi-professional competition in a city and country where rugby league supposedly reigns supreme.
In the round’s other matches, the Waghi Tumbe avoided an embarrassing loss to the Gulf Isapea in Minj with a 20-20 draw;  the Mendi Muruks and Mt Hagen Eagles drew 16-16 in the Southern Highlands capital; Goroka Lahanis thumped Hela Wigmen 20-8 at home and the Enga Mioks heaped more misery on last year’s grand finalists the Simbu Lions with a 34-24 win in Wabag.
The unofficial points ladder has the Lahanis on top with four points followed by the Tigers and Gurias on the same number of points while the Isapea and Eagles are fourth and fifth respectively on three points apiece.
The Mioks and Wigmen head the bottom half of the standings on two points each and the Tumbe with their solitary point are ahead of the Vipers and Lions, who have yet to register a point.
The Tigers rugby union convert Butler Morris and PNG Hunters squad member Ishmael Balkawa both scored a try each and played big roles on defence to lead their side to victory.
The other Morobeans to cross the chalk on the NFS’s well-manicured surface included halfback Mafu Kales, centres Pasu Awani and Enoch Sine as well as former Kumul and Hunters back-rower David Loko. The only troubling aspect of the win for Tepend would be the goal-kicking with five-eighth Charlie Simon only managing to convert two of the six tries.
Vipers back-rower Raymond Tia and winger Michael Yanis touched down for the home side’s only four-pointers of the match.
Tigers fullback Charles Martin, captain and prop Roy Kela, hooker Noel Joel, forwards Bernard Lama and Paul Kambi also proved handful for the home side.
Vipers with former Kumuls in fullback Josiah Abavu, prop Nixon Kolo, Charlie Wabo and Elijah Riyong along with the experienced Bobby Mori were unable to turn the tide with a high error rate not helping their cause.
The Tigers had a good look at the Vipers in the first 40 minutes and happily took a small lead into the sheds at half time before coming out in the second half to pile on another 16 points while conceding just a penalty goal in that half.
Halves Kales and Simon controlled the play expertly, making use of the glut of possession given up by the fumbling Vipers.
The Tigers will fancy their chances against the Eagles in Hagen this Sunday while the Vipers face a daunting challenge in the Lahanis in Goroka.