Vipers upset

SNS Port Moresby Vipers fell 20-12 to a more disciplined Bintangor Goroka Lahanis in round 18 of the bemobile Cup in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Lahanis scored four tries to two at the Lloyd Robson Oval for the eight-point win.
Lahanis coach Peter Danga was  happy with the victory.
Danga put the win down to sticking with the plan and commended his halfback Walter Hasu and captain Glen Nami for their leadership.
Lahanis were first to score through right wing Minhaho Goso which wing partner Ismael Awute converted  to lead 6-0.
Lahanis continued their good form when two -try hero and former rugby union international Chris Hogi added another try in the 24th minute which Awute converted for a 12-0 lead.
Hogi then sliced through for his second minutes later off a Nami inside ball  to blow the lead out to 18 points.
Vipers got into the game with a try to prop David Kaiabe, who scrambled over from dummyhalf next to the uprights, to trail 18-6 at the break.
Vipers gave away a soft penalty in the 50th minute for Awute to slot in another two points for a 20-6 score line.
Vipers hooker Toua Kohu, who was replaced late in the first half, was injected back into the action scoring a try from a midfield surge to pull back the deficit to 20-12 in the 73rd minute.
Danga praised his side for their discipline and professionalism which he credited for the victory. “The performance of my boys was spot on and I’m very pleased because they were told to be more dominant in defence and they all did that to come out winners,” Danga said .
Meanwhile Vipers must control their error rate, which plagued them at crucial stages of the match, if they are to trouble the top sides.
The Port Moresby-based franchise bombed several try-scoring chances due to poor ball handling and the last pass going astray.
They could not keep their composure on attack and squandered possession but perhaps the most  concerning aspect of their play was the tactics used in the conditions.
In wet conditions the Vipers persisted with an expansive game  attacking the edges of the field when shorter, sharper passes and runners cutting back in would have surficed.
As fate would have Vipers and Lahanis meet again in Port Moresby next Sunday in a sudden death playoff in the first preliminary final while Mioks are set to meet the Gurias in the other final in Lae. Minor premiers Mendi Muruks have the bye.