Vipers tame Wigmen for fourth cup victory

Sports

THE Port Moresby Vipers backed up last week’s win over cellar dwellers the Gulf Isou with a gutsy 26-16 victory over the Hela Wigmen in their round 7 Digicel Cup clash at the National Football Stadium on Saturday.
Vipers coach Joe Sipa attributed the win to his side’s defence and taking advantage of the opportunities that came their way.
In contrast, Wigmen coach Roderick Puname bemoaned his side’s inability to follow the game plan and their high error count.
In the round’s other results, the Goroka Lahanis edged the Gulf Isou 20-14, the Mendi Muruks kept the Chimbu Warriors scoreless 14-0, the Waghi Tumbe 19 pipped the Agmark Rabaul Gurias 18 in Minj while the Enga Mioks stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches with a come-from-behind 24-22 win over the Lae Tigers in Wabag.
A satisfied Vipers coach Sipa said it was his side’s fourth win of the season and had got them into the top five and was setting the tone for one of their best season in recent years.
Sipa said the club had turned the corner in the final quarter of last season stringing together several wins and good performances and 2018 had so far shown positive signs with a 4-3 season, their best return for the opening two months of a season since the club won the 2013 title.
He put it down to the club being more professional in its approach.
The Vipers held an 8-4 lead at halftime thanks to a Rex Tondawa try and two goals by Benton Leme while Paul Nelson scored the Wigmen’s only points of the first half through a try.
The home side worked hard to contain the Wigmen, who threw everything in their arsenal at them in a tense second 40 minutes.
The Wigmen ran their big men in Nixon Kolo, Timothy Lomai and Benji Hetra but the Vipers rose to the challenge with a mix of clever slowing tactics and an organized and willing defence. Hunters squad member Patrick Morea weaved his way to the line in the 46th minute as halfback Benton Leme collected the extras to see the city side stretch their lead to 14-4.
The Wigmen came surging back as former Kumuls prop Timothy Lomai barged over near the uprights for his side to trail 14-10 in the 60th minute.
Vipers hooker Supa George Fabian shredded the Wigmen ruck defence as he scooted out of dummy half and raced to the line from close range with Leme slotting the conversion as the Vipers went 20-10 up.
Wigmen playmaker Stanley Olo got his side firmly back into the contest bagging a four-pointer through some fancy footwork which was converted for the Helas to trail 20-16.
Vipers five-eighth Atte Bina Wabo turned back the clock with a chip and chase effort that saw him regather plant the ball under the sticks and with Leme slotting the extras for 26-16 win.
On Sunday the Vipers host competition leaders the Enga Mioks in what is the match of the round.