Tigers want to stay top of table

 By GABRIEL LAHOC

DIGICEL Cup competition leader Lae Snax Tigers will continue with their winning run in the highlands region when they face host TNA Simbu Lions on Sunday in Kundiawa.

Coach Stanley Tepend, pictured, was proud of his boys as the Mt Hagen match was their real test this season after losing six players to suspension in the previous match against the PRK/Prima Gulf Isapea.

“The Hagen game was very physical, especially in the first half,” Tepend said.

“But we were prepared for that and we came out on top in the second half when they slacked off.

“Everybody played well, Roy Kela led from the front, Joe Kingal scored three tries and all the boys were good.

“They stood up well and their on-field discipline was very good,” he said.

Aware of the re­cent mauling of the EPG Enga Mioks by the Lions, Tepend said they would take the same post-match approach going into Kundiawa. 

“It was a physical game against the Eagles but we didn’t go out there thinking about the build-up there.

“This weekend too it will be similar as the Lions will be playing in front of their home crowd.

“So we are expecting another physical game up there.  We can’t help with anything else … we just got to worry about ourselves.

“We  can’t be burdened thinking about our six boys who are gone and how it’s affecting us or we are going to Simbu and what’s going to happen.

 “We can’t control anything outside of our control.

“We can only worry about ourselves and that’s to get ourselves right and fit … that is all,” Tepend said.

He said they had a few minor injuries after the Hagen encounter but the same line-up would take on the Lions.

The Lions are expected to take the game to the Tigers to try and rattle them.