Tigers settle for a draw

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

THE Digicel Cup encounter in Lae was a hard but even affair after the Lae Tigers endured a 10-10 draw with the Hela Wigmen on Sunday.

The Tigers drew with Goroka Lahanis two weeks ago by the same score, however this time a new Tigers line-up after the suspension of starting players following their Round 8 brawl with the Gulf Isapeas in Port Moresby.

While the two tries and a conversion each from both sides was entertaining, the generally poor refereeing by Tony Kuni did not go down well with both camps with Tigers coach Stanley Tepend describing it as “ridiculous” at the end of the match.

Wellington Albert on debut for the Tigers on the wing in place of a suspended George Benson, scored the first try after a tight first quarter, however hooker Noel Joel failed to convert from out wide.

Wigmen’s Wawa Paul, who was beaten by Albert for the first try, responded in the same fashion scoring out wide in the 39th minute. 

Kewa Kili failed to convert.

With a halftime score of 4-4, the Tigers got a stern lecture from Tepend in their dressing room while the Wigmen re-strategised under veteran player and coach Stanley Hondina, who started the match from the bench.

Prop Roy Kela led the Tigers forward onslaught which replacement forwrad Kot Kerua scoring under the posts which was easily converted by Joel.

The Wigmen upped the ante on defence which saw several Tigers on the receiving end of some high shots, while a dangerous throw by Kili on Joel saw Kuni putting the No.6 on report.

Fullback Felix Tangue, winger Wawa Paul and hooker Wesa Tenza stirred up the Helas in the last quarter which saw Tenza scoring the equaliser from a Paul pass; Kili converted to lock the score at 10-10.

The most controversial moment in the match came when Tigers backrower Elvis Dick made a one-on-one strip on a Wigmen player and raced away to score.

Kuni ruled a penalty to Tigers instead of playing to their advantage but after consulting with a linesman reversed his decision and awarded a penalty to the Wigmen.

Tigers 10 (W. Albert, K. Kerua tries; N. Joel con 1) Wigmen 10 (W. Paul, W. Tenza tries; K. Kili con 1) at Lae Rugby League ground. HT: 4-4.