Wabo, Laumas hold Vipers

The National Sports
Port Moresby Suburban Ducks’ David Joseph taking on the Koiari Nagavas defence.

By JACK AMI
DIGICEL Cup premiership-winning Lae Tigers fullback Sanny Wabo scored to two tries to help Laumas force a 16-16 draw with Port Moresby Vipers Academy on Saturday.
Wabo’s man-of-the-match performance in round six of the Southern Super League National Gaming Control Board Cup at Moresby South Stadium saw the Vipers dropping points for the first time in the inaugural season.
Despite the draw, the ladder-leading Vipers hold a slender one-point advantage over second-placed Moresby South Blacks in the second-tier rugby league competition.
Meanwhile, Gulf Isou Development, Port Moresby Suburban Ducks and Buria Reds recorded wins on Friday.
Isou beat Eda Bulldogs 20-10, Ducks sunk Koiari Nagavas 16-10 and Reds edged Rigo Raiders 26-24 to improve their standing on the 12-team ladder with five rounds left before the finals.
But it the wins did not come easy as they had to defend solidly against their opponents.
Isou called in big Otto Wrakonei to add weight and strength to their pack, but Graham Sinori was named as the man of the match.

Buria Reds’ Tegana Apa taking on the Rigo Raiders defence at Moresby South Stadium on Friday.

Digicel Cup grand final-losing Waghi Tumbe playmaker Jerry Teme put in a solid performance for the Ducks.
But teammate and two-try hero Stainer Steven dominated in attack and defence to take out the man-of-the-match award while Morea Heni claimed the honours in the Reds’ win.
Despite a month-long Coronavirus-enforced hiatus, the league’s ‘no jab, no play’ policy helped ensure that teams followed the standard operating procedures upon the resumption of matches.
Results: Isou 20 (Mondo Morisuo 2, Otto Wrakonei, Chanel Manisri tries; Graham Sinori 2 goals) beat Bulldogs 10 (Emmanuel Laua, Martin John tries; Emmanuel Laua goal). Ducks 16 (Stainer Steven 2, J Roy tries; Stainer Steven 2 goals) beat Nagavas 10 (E Namalau, Junior Morgan tries; D Ottis goal). Reds 26 (Avuru Nou 2, Morea Heni Jr 2, Rabuka Saula, L Rausi tries; Avuru Nou goal) beat Raiders 24 (Edrich Keaike, Thomas Kaikai, Paul Galmai, Israel Tony, Vagira Karuhi tries; V Karuhi, Henry Joe goals).