Vipers hold off Muruks

THE opener of the weekend’s Digicel Cup triple-header in Port Moresby saw the Vipers defeating Mendi Muruks 10-6 at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.
The Vipers, led by skipper Larsen Marabe, were determined to bounce back from a 48-6 loss to Lae Snax Tigers in round 15.
They went up against a confident Muruks side who pulled off an upset against competition favourites Rabaul Gurias at the Kalabond Oval.
The Muruks, boasting the likes of the SP Hunters’ Stanton Albert and McKenzie Yei, looked the better side on paper and were the first to score a converted try through five-eighth Robert Shix.
The Vipers, also quick on attack, were out to prove a point with second-rower Ade Kawa crossing over for a converted try which put the match on even terms at halftime.
The second half proved to be a handful for both sides with much of the match being riddled by ball-handling errors.
Frustration coupled with fatigue saw the game take on a physical style of football with penalties dished out for high tackles and infringements slowing any enterprising play from both sides.
The stalemate was broken in the later stage of the second half via an unconverted try to winger Frank Tole following an improved effort from halfback Karis Peter and hooker Atte Bina.
The playmaking duo provided some much needed direction for the Vipers to claim the win.