Vipers maintain perfect pre-season trials record

THE Port Moresby Vipers maintained a perfect record in pre-season trials after beating the Hela Wigmen 12-4 at the Sir John Guise Stadium yesterday.
The Wigmen opened the scoring through centre Segi Wesley but the Vipers lifted and out hustled the Hela side to clinch an eight-point win.
The Vipers were trailing 0-4 at half time.
The defending champions had their structure thanks to the efforts of Tony Wemin, Patrick Morea and Stanford Talita.
The Vipers defence held them to the single try. Wigmen coach Charlie Wabo encouraged his charges to lift their intensity in the second half but it was the Vipers forwards led by Joel Kee and Philip Komboi, who seemed more desperate and willing to do the hard years to set up their back line.
The Vipers levelled the score in the 50th minute when Stargroth Amean, on the left edge set up new recruit Brendon Bigam for a try in the corner.
The Vipers took the lead 6-4 with a successful conversion.
The Wigmen’s play continued to break down as errors crept in and they were not able to put any pressure on the Vipers line.
The Vipers’ second try came off a line break by Amean who combined with former Rabaul Guria Brian Gispe to set forward Kee who scored next to the uprights.
A successful conversion saw Vipers lead 12-4 – a lead which they held on to until the final whistle.
Vipers coach Leonard Tarum was pleased with his sides’ performance especially with the combinations of his young backline.