Vipers pip Eagles in tight affair

 By ELIAS LARI

THE Stop n Shop Port Moresby Vipers pipped the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles at 14-12 at the Rebiamul Oval in Mt Hagen yesterday.

The win continues a poor run of matches for the Eagles who have not won a match since round Round 4.

Eagles played a very tight game in the first half to lead 12-6.

But the homeside were always on borrowed time as the gap in class soon became evident in the second half.

Poor handling kept the Eagles from mounting any kind of pressure and with it their lead was cut down.

Captain Jason Tali and forward Benny Pamunda tried hard to inspire their side but to no avail as a Vipers led by Charlie Wabo and Larsen Marabe slowly but surely turned the screws on the hosts.

Ties to Wabo and former Eagles Garry Lo at crucial stages of the second half sealed a hard-fought but well-deserved victory.

For the Eagles unconverted tries to Francis Pengti, Tali and Junior Rau showed that the Western Highlanders were capable but consistency and the ability to hold on to possession let them down.

Eagles Daniel Pai, David Rombuk, Francis Pengti, Pamunda and Tali were prominent in the opening 40 as the homseide threatened to pour on the points.

But that promised proved false as the Eagles came out a different side in the second half only to see their slender lead run down.

Best for the Vipers were Michael Mark, Wabo, Enoch Maki, Marabe and Sebastian Pandia.