Vipers keep Eagles down

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE Mt Hagen Eagles’ poor Digicel Cup start continued with a 10-16 loss – their fourth-straight defeat – to hosts Port Moresby Vipers at Sir John Guise Stadium yesterday.
Despite dominating field position, the visitors could not breach the Vipers defence as the hosts scored three tries to the Eagles’ two.
The Eagles scored first through lock Bradley Angra for a 4-0 lead.
The Vipers responded in the 10th minute courtesy of try to SP Hunters forward Enoch Maki beside the uprights. A successful conversion from Brandon Gotuno saw the home side take a 6-4 lead.
The Eagles hit the lead for the second time when hooker Benard Noel scored a converted try off a Garry James inside pass in the 12th minute.
But the Vipers finished the first half on a high note with a try to halfback Joel Tapie in the 30th minute. A successful conversion by Gotuno saw the hosts take a 12-10 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Vipers continued to dominate which resulted in their third try to captain Ade Kawa on the right edge.