Upsets galore

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Source:

The National, Monday 17th June 2013

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

THE two Southern Highlands-based franchises caused major upsets in the Digicel Cup yesterday by knocking off top guns Rabaul Gurias and Port Moresby Vipers at the Joe Keviame Oval in Mendi.

In the other table-turning results Enga Mioks went down to the Simbu Lions 19-16 in Kundiawa and the  Goroka Lahanis were held to a 12-12 draw by a Gulf Isapea side missing several key personnel.

The Kemele Hela Wigmen, with former representative player Joseph Omai leading by example, bulldozed the Vipers 25-18 and the Muruks capitalised on the Gurias poor form there to win 16-6.

Lions rising young star and former Port Moresby schoolboy Benjamin Wemin scored two tries and Aure Wemin the other. Playmaker Supa Takai and regular performer Willy Guambo starred in the win.  

The wins by the bottom-half teams signals a much tougher second stage to competition.

The Wigmen are warming up to the second round and are likely to pose a growing threat. 

The Wigmen scored tries through Oliver Kerry, Omai, Dickson Eki and Wawa Paul for the win.

The Vipers Kumul training squad members Larson Marabe, Richard Kambo and Sebastian Pandia scored tries.

For the Muruks, fullback Richard Mapi, winger Elvis Loko, halfback Joshua Molsi and interchange back Vincent Kink featured in the win over the Gurias.

The Gurias welcomed back Rodney Pora from his overseas stint but his presence failed to deny the Muruks a much needed win.

In Mount Hagen, the Snax Tigers pushed the button in their convincing 44-8 win over the home-team Wamp Nga Eagles. The Tigers were the only top team to win in round 10.