Vipers keep Wigmen scoreless

By PARKER TAMBUA
PORT Moresby Vipers won 10-0 to hand defending premiers Hela Wigmen a third-straight loss in round eight of the Digicel Cup at the Oil Search National Football Stadium yesterday.
The Moni Plus-sponsored Vipers climbed a spot to fourth on the 12-team ladder while the Kroton-backed Wigmen dropped to fifth place.
The Vipers put on defensive masterclass to shut out the Charlie Wabo-coached Wigmen.
It was a tryless first half but Vipers the managed to take the lead at the break, courtesy of a penalty goal by five-eighth Yunny Patrick.
Due to light showers, the field was slippery which contributed to poor ball security by both sides.
The Vipers scored the only try in the game in the 60th minute when Stanford Talita dropped a Karis Peter kick which allowed the Vipers playmaker to re-gather possession and score under the uprights.
Patrick’s conversion extended the lead to 8-0 before he kicked another penalty goal nine minutes later to extend the Vipers’ lead to 10-0.
The Wigmen dominated the second half in terms of field position and ball possession, but they couldn’t find a way through the opposition.
In unpleasant scenes, there was a brawl between the two sides when Vipers winger Brendon Bigam copped a high shot from Tommy Moide on the stroke of halftime which saw players exchange a few punches.
Results: Sun, July 25 — Muruks 38 Dabaris 4, Mioks 20 Lahanis 10, Cutters 22 Eagles 10, Tumbe 36 Isou 4, Vipers 10 Wigmen 0, Tigers 20 Gurias 16.