Vipers hit purple patch

By MELTON PAIS
PORT Moresby Vipers team manager Ronnie Titie commended his players for working hard to earn three back-to-back wins for the club.
“We’ve had good communication among the players and their combinations worked well over the last three games and that’s how we’ve won these games,” Titie said.
The Vipers have five wins so far from eight games and are in third place on the standings.
“The combinations in the backs and in the forwards are working and that’s good.”
Titie commended head coach Joe Sipa and his trainers for working hard with the players over the preseason.
“We had about eight weeks of preseason training and it really helped us a lot,” Titie said.
“The results that we’ve got over the last few weeks is a clear reflection of our commitment to training,” he said.
“It’s a new team with a few young players and these youngsters have really lifted to help them win three on the trot.
“We have young players coming from Port Moresby Rugby League and the Suburban Rugby League competitions and doing well while we have an experienced hand like Ate Bine Wabo.
“Ate and halfback Benton Leme have developed a good combination in the halves, giving us direction. Leme’s form has picked up and he’s playing well alongside Ate and hooker Supa George. They’ve really been good for us.”
Titie urged Vipers fans to turn out for the side as they looked to make the finals for the first time since 2013.
Titie said the side had basically pulled up fine after their 25-24 win over the Enga Mioks last Sunday.
Winger Frank Tole injured his left hand and prop Manu Kame suffered a concussion but both have been cleared to face the Goroka Lahanis in Port Moresby on Sunday.