Tigers roar

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

THE Lae Tigers showed the Gulf Isapea who’s boss, thrashing them 46-12 at the Lae Rugby League ground in their Round 17 Digicel Cup clash yesterday.

But the Tigers weren’t the only cats on the prowl. The Rabaul Gurias copped a 36-16 belting in Kundiawa courtesy of the Simbu Lions at Dickson Oval.

The Enga Mioks could finish in second place after beating the Hela Wigmen 32-16 in Mendi. They will face cuurent number two, the Gurias in Kokopo next Sunday to decide that position on the ladder.

The Goroka Lahanis meanwhile all but secured the minor premiership with a 34-26 win over the Mendi Muruks at the National Sports Institute in Goroka. The win, although scrappy should see the Lahanis claim the minor title with only the last-placed Mt Hagen Eagles to face at the NSI in the last round.

Tigers center Thompson Teteh in a starring man-of-the match performance scored four tries, his partner Willie Minoga and captain Sydney Fred grabbed two each, Junior Pangogo scored one while halfback Ate Bine Wabo also scored one and converted four goals.

The feature of the match were the physical runs and brutal hits from the forwards from opposite ends, however the big cats had more muscle power and were complemented by their excellent backline combination.

Tigers dominated the first half when Fred opened the floodgate in the third minute with his first try before fullback Robert raced 40-metres to set up Teteh’s first try in the seventh minute.