Vipers, Mioks face off

The National Sports

By JACK AMI
COMPETITION leaders Enga Mioks will face a confident Port Moresby Vipers in their round 8 Digicel Cup clash at the National Football Stadium on Sunday.
The Vipers-Mioks (5.15pm) fixture is part of a triple-header in Port Moresby which will also see the Gulf Isou host the Waghi Tumbe (12.30pm) in the other Digicel Cup match earlier in the day while the Q-Cup match between the SP PNG Hunters and the Townsville Blackhawks (3pm) is the middle fixture of the triple play.
With veteran halves Roger Laka (Mioks) and Atte Bina Wabo (Vipers) set to lead their sides in the late afternoon fixture.
But they will not be their side’s only main men with deputies Mioks Nathan Millie and Vipers Benton Leme looking to back their halves partners along with hookers Supa George Fabian (Port Moresby) and Woods Kawage (Enga).
The Vipers, who managed to contain the Hela Wigmen pack last week will have to contend with the Mioks in-form pack featuring former Hunter Esau Siune, Mark Mexico, Kot Kerowa, Eddy Daffa and captain Supa Kokote. Mioks are unbeaten after eight games but face a rejuvenated Vipers side looking to end the streak.
Mioks coach Timothy Lepa said his side were wary of the Vipers even though they had the better form having won at home and on the road.
“This is going to be test for us. We like playing at the NFS and we’re confident at the moment and hopefully we do well,” Lepa said.
“We have a lot of respect for the Vipers but we’ll play our normal game with the right attitude to get through.”
Vipers have recovered well and have gone from strength to strength learning from the previous loses which has boosted their morale in 2018.
The Isou head into their match against the Tumbe coming off six straight loses and coach Colin Geno will need to work out a plan to get his side back on the winning track.
In comparison, the Tumbe’s season has been largely positive with the Jiwaka side having won four matches. Rd 8 Fixtures: Sun, May 27 – Warriors v Tigers (Minj), Lahanis v Wigmen (Goroka), Gurias v Muruks (Kokopo).