Vipers sink Gurias

By MICHAEL PHILIP
A LATE Karis Peter field goal helped Port Moresby Vipers continue their perfect start with a 9-8 win over visitors Rabaul Gurias in round two of the Digicel Cup yesterday.
The Vipers opened the scoring with a penalty goal by five-eighth Yunny Patrick, but the Gurias responded three minutes from halftime when No.6 Saki Peter crossed over for an unconverted try.
The Agmark-sponsored New Guinea Islands side went into halftime with a 4-2 lead.
But poor second-half defence paved the way for rugby union convert Willie Tirang to score an unconverted try for the Vipers.
The Gurias responded with two penalty goals by Peter for a slender 8-6 lead before Patrick levelled the scores with one of his own.
Three minutes from fulltime, Peter produced the clutch play to hand the Moni Plus-sponsored side their second-straight win.
Gurias coach Francis Ray was disappointed with the loss, but accepted the results with plans to rebound against Mendi Muruks in Lae this weekend.
“It was a tough match,” he said
“We did well in the first half, but went off the track in the second half.
“It was then that we found it difficult to stage a comeback.
“We accept the loss.
“We’re going to improve our attack to face the Muruks in Lae.”
Meanwhile, winning coach Joe Sipa said despite the victory, his men needed to remain focused on the remainder of the season.
“The Gurias gave us a great game,” he said. “But we still need to improve our attack and defence.
“For now, I give credit to the side for the win.”
The Vipers will face Hela Wigmen in their next match this weekend.