Tigers thump Dabaris – The National

Rop, Joshua, Benford star as defending champs run riot

By ROBINSON LEKA
SP Hunters pair Junior Rop and Joe Joshua, and Anderson Benford each scored a double to help Lae Tigers beat the Central Dabaris 40-10 in Port Moresby yesterday.
The round-two victory at Sir John Guise Stadium sees the Digicel Cup defending champions maintain their perfect start to the season following their 28-8 round-one win over Waghi Tumbe.
For hosts Central Dabaris, it was their first loss of the season, having beaten Gulf Isou 18-6 in the opening round.
Under skipper Tiger Emere, the Tigers were pushed early on, with the Dabaris showing aggression from the kick-off.

Lae Tigers five-eighth Mark Tony attempting a quick play-the-ball against the Central Dabaris at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday. The Tigers won 40-10. The second-placed Tigers face ladder leaders Rabaul Gurias at the Lae Rugby League Ground on Sunday. – Nationalpics by JOEL HAMARI

However, a strong offensive effort by the Tigers’ backline saw fullback Joe Joshua opening the scoring.
Interchange forward Rop and Benford scored their first tries in first half to help the Tigers take an 18-0 lead.
Dabaris centre Philemon Kimisive was denied a late first-half try after winger Michael Yanis was ruled to have batted the ball forward off a Junior Belo kick.
The Dabaris began the second half on the front foot with winger Yanis scoring a converted try two minutes after the break.
But the Tigers hit back with Rop scoring his second try in the 60th minute and his teammate Jokadi Bire crossed over two minutes later for a 30-6 lead.
Joshua crossed over for a converted try two minutes later to give the Tigers a 36-6 lead.
Eight minutes from fulltime, front-rower Gerry Ware busted through the Tigers defence for the Dabaris’ second try.
But it was not enough to stop the Tigers as Benford trampled Dabaris fullback Murphy Eddie for his second try to seal the match.
“We wanted to carry on from last week’s win (against Waghi Tumbe),” Tigers head coach Stanley Tepend said.
“We polished up on a few areas before the Dabaris match and we certainly did not take them lightly.
“We had a game plan and I think we executed it pretty well.”
The second-placed Tigers host ladder leaders Rabaul Gurias on Sunday. Results: Sat, July 11 – Vipers 12 Lahanis 10, Cutters 14 Tumbe 4; Sun, July 12 – Wigmen 19 Mioks 18, Muruks 22 Eagles 18, Tigers 40 Dabaris 10, Gurias 38 Isou 2.