Tigers rip hapless Lions to pieces

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

THE new-look Stanley Tepend-coached Snax Lae Tigers are on a winning roll after hammering an uncoordinated TNA Chimbu Lions 50-12 at the Lae rugby league ground yesterday.

Changes in the Tigers camp has reaped benefits as they registered second win in a row on home ground.

But a sterner test waits the them in their next encounter against the Agmark Rabaul Gurias on Sunday in Kokopo.

The talk of the match was new winger George Benson and new towering prop Petro Sunavalu, whose father is Fijian and mother is half Fijian and Kavieng and who is seen as the perfect replacement for Mark Mexico, who is now with the Gurias.

Tries to Thompson Teteh, Richrd Reto (2) and Willie Mingou saw the homeside hold a commanding 16-8 lead at the break. 

Tigers substitute forward Joe Kingal capitalised on a ball on the left when he charged through for the Tigers fifth try, which was easily converted by Wabo.

Sunavalu, who was damaging upfront, had a direct hand in the next try to Benson, who easily shrugged off Lions’ Robert Dama to score.

Charles Philip and Mingou went in again for Lae for Tigers to lead 38-12

A tiring Lions then let Reto in again while, while Wabo grabbed a try in the final minute for a comprehensive win 50-12.

Lions Supa Takai and Wamil Minga scored the visitors’ only points.