Tumbe outclass Muruks

By PARKER TAMBUA
WAGHI Tumbe made club history as they outclassed Mendi Muruks 31-16 in the Digicel Cup preliminary final at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday. to book their first grand final since their entry in 2014.
In Tumbe’s first grand final since their 2014 inception, the Jiwaka government-sponsored side will face minor premiers Lae Tigers in the decider in Port Moresby on Sunday.
Former SP Hunter and Tumbe captain Joe Frank starred for his team, setting up three of their five-try haul in a man-of-the-match performance.
Tumbe were fired up right from the opening whistle as they scored early through Saki Peter after Joe Frank set him up.
Halfback David Joseph, who converted at a 100 per cent success rate on the day, ensured that Tumbe took a 6-0 lead.
The Muruks responded in the 20th minute when forward Julius Yakopa made a line-break to score in the corner. Joshia Jimmy levelled the scores with a successful conversion.
But it wasn’t long until Tumbe regained the lead as Frank outclassed the Muruks defence to set up Peter who completed his double with another try beside the uprights.
In the 34th minute, Frank went on a trademark run to set up winger Robert Koronos under the uprights as Tumbe led 18-6.
Muruks winger Leon Undupie scored an unconverted try in the corner just before halftime to trail 10-18 at the break.
The game was in the balance until the 61st minute when Tumbe extended their lead to 24-10 via Francis Sam’s try.
The Muruks scored again 10 minutes before fulltime through Nelson Yei made a line-break and dived in under the uprights as Jimmy’s conversion saw them trail by eight points.
Field goal specialist David Joseph extended Tumbe’s lead when he kicked a one-pointer in the 75th minute.
Tumbe sealed the win on the stroke of fulltime when hooker Job Kar scored under the uprights.