Waghi men beat misfiring Dabaris

THE Waghi Tumbe beat Central Dabaris 24-10 to keep their hold on third place in the Digicel Cup.
Tumbe dedicated their Round 6 win to the mothers of Waghi Valley and PNG.
Tumbe were boosted by the inclusion of Hunters Justin Yoka, Moses Meninga and Enoch Maki.
Ex-Hunter Joe Frank was at his menacing best, breaking through for the first try in the fifth minute for a 6-0 lead.
The Central franchise had experienced uncertainty during the week with news that major sponsor Vitis Industries was considering pulling out and despite those fears being allayed on Friday, it was clear Dabaris were not quite the same.
Tumbe took advantage of an unfocused Dabaris with five-eighth Saki Peter kicking a pair of penalties to push the lead to double figures (10-0) by quarter time.
The Central men showed glimpses of their attacking prowess but frustratingly could not finish promising raids.
Tumbe went further ahead thanks to a Maki off-load which enabled Job Kar to make it 14-0 which was the halftime score. The Dabaris fought back through Gairo Kapana, who crossed in the 43rd minute, and in the absence of goal-kicking ace Allan Simbiri, Junior Belo failed to add the extras.
Tumbe brought on playmaker Yoka to immediate affect with the 22 year-old plucking a John Stanley pass to cross for the Jiwaka team in the 53rd minute for an 18-4 lead.
The contest became a scrappy affair as the half wore on until lock Daniel Pai bagged his side’s fourth try with 12 minutes to go.
At 24-4, the Dabaris could not be counted out, and to the credit of coach Chris Enara’s side, they sparked when hooker John Boge forced his way over to cut the margin to 24-10.
But it was too little too late for the Dabaris.
Tumbe coach Francis Ray said the win made up for their draw in Goroka last round as well as coming on Mother’s Day.
He dedicated the win to the mothers of Jiwaka and PNG.
“Today is Mother’s Day and our win was special and we did it for our mothers back at home and around the country,” Ray said.
Results: Rd 6 – Sun, May 12: Gurias 44 Eagles 6, Dabaris 10 Tumbe, Muruks 24 Wigmen 16, Lahanis 30 Mioks 28, Isou 12 Tigers 36, Cutters 4 Vipers 10.