Vipers beat Wigmen

THE Port Moresby Vipers ended last year’s runners-up Hela Wigmen’s four-game winning start with a 26-12 victory in round five at Sir John Guise Stadium yesterday.
The return of stars Ase Boas and Stargroth Amean proved the difference as the Vipers produced a strong defensive effort and ran in four tries to the Wigmen’s two.
Amean scored the opening try and centre Shalom Bire scored few minutes later to give the Vipers a 12-0 lead.
The Wigmen responded with two converted tries in eight minutes to level the scores at 12-12.
But a late converted try through Brandon Gotuno saw the Vipers take an 18-12 lead at half-time.
After the break, the Wigmen muscled up in defence to give themselves good field position but they could not turn their opportunities into points.
Poor discipline from the Wigmen proved costly with referee Paul Wani awarding penalties to the Vipers which saw Boas kicking back-to-back penalty goals for a 22-12 lead. The 2013 premiers put the game beyond doubt with Boas crossing over from dummy half.
Vipers coach Leonard Tarum said it was their best defensive effort since the start of the season.
Meanwhile, the Kimbe Cutters recorded their second victory of the season with a 26-8 win over Gulf Isou.