Tumbe upset Gurias

By ROBINSON LEKA
A SAKI Peter hat-trick helped Waghi Tumbe open their Digicel Cup campaign with a 32-20 upset win over reigning minor premiers Rabaul Gurias in Port Moresby on Saturday.  The round-one clash at the Oil Search at the Oil Search National Football saw a fairly new Gurias team pinned under pressure by an impressive Tumbe attack with Peter and second-rower Micah Tom scoring in the opening half. The Gurias, under skipper Edward Goma, responded with two tries by rake Silas Gahuna and winger Ilias Stanley (unconverted four-pointer) to trail 10-12. A strong defensive effort by Tumbe saw them hold off an ordinary Gurias attack with former Kimbe Cutters halfback Mark Alunga and Paul Nelson Jr falling short against one-time SP Hunter Joe Frank and his men. Frank opened the scoring for his side early in the second half and Peter grabbed his second try. The Gurias bounced back, courtesy of Gahuna’s second four-pointer and another by centre John Ragi Jr to bring the match to a 20-24 scoreline. Poor handling by the Gurias saw Tumbe extend their lead with Jessy Mathew and Peter scoring tries for a 20-32 scoreline at fulltime. Grabbing his maiden win as coach, former SP Hunter and Waghi Tumbe coach Baundo Aba said he was happy with the result of his side’s season opener. “It’s the first time for me as a player to transition into coaching, but I’m proud of it because I told my boys that they’re not going to let me down,” he said. Gurias coach Marcus Kaugla was optimistic despite the loss.“Half of the team are new so it’s only a matter of time before they fully develop, but I think it’s a good start by them,” he said.