Two wins on the trot for Isapea

 THE Gulf Isapea held on gallantly from a fast finishing TNA Simbu Lions to claim back-to-back wins in a Digicel Cup rugby league clash at the Lloyd Robson Oval yesterday.

The Prima PRK-sponsored  Kerema outfit edged out the TNA-backed Simbu franchise 32-28.

Early Isapea dominance saw them scoring three tries in the opening 13 minutes to jump to an 18-0 lead before the Lions roared back to  dominate the second-half.

Centre Terry Kaupa opened the try-fest from a typical set-play cross kick from five-eighth Junior Belo in the seventh minute.

Two minutes later winger Pipi Kilori and then skipper Barry Pakea in the 13th minute scored to leave Lions supporters shell-shocked.

But the Isapea then went to sleep and allowed evasive Lions five-eighth Supa Takai to set up two tries for exciting teenage winger Ben Wemin in the 17th and 28th minutes, before a 30-metre individual effort on the stroke of half-time.

The scores could have been closer at the break had the Lions held out Kilori crossing over for his second try and then full-back Jason Koivi slicing through weary defenders down the left flank. The Isapea led 28-12 at half-time.

The Lions, who had some stinging advice from TNA principal Gerard Philip at half-time, came out all guns blazing with nippy half-back Willy Guambo and former Mendi Muruks star Mathew Puke instigating a major fight-back.

Lions forwards Enoch Sine, Saku More, Radley Brawa, Aure Wemin and James Gend took up the challenge to bombard the Isapea defence-line at will.

The Lions came through to within a whisker of causing an upset as Wemin, a former Southern Zone junior, latched onto his third try, Puke and then fullback Steven Gari scoring to have the Isapea desperately holding on.