Waine scores double to help Wigmen end Gurias’ season

FORWARD Emmanuel Waine scored a double to help the Hela Wigmen beat the Rabaul Gurias 13-4 in the Digicel Cup elimination finals at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Wigmen now meet defending champions Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, who beat the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles 22-4 in the main clash.
The Hela franchise were on the roll from the get-go and the Gurias found the going tough in front of more than 9,000 spectators.
Waine, who was named man-of-the-match, scored both his tries in the first half and halfback Tombal Peter made sure of the conversions to give the Wigmen a 12-0 lead at halftime.
Wigmen’s Agiru John Ako made sure of the win with a second-half field goal. The Gurias only try was from William Akuila.
The inclusion of SP Hunters players Terry Wapi, Dilbert Isaac and Ila Alu did not produce the impact the Gurias were hoping for as the Wigmen put on a solid defensive display to see out the win.
Wigmen’s Kerry Pep, Valentine Cullingan, Waine, Yaksi Kila, Raymond Tia, Yves David, Slyvester Bulu, Gilmo Paul, Stanford Talita, halves David Joseph, Peter and hooker Dobi Michael played their hearts out.
Gurias’ Francis Takai, John Ragi Jr, Eliakim Lukara, Wesley Batari, Solomon Pokari, Alu, Isaac, Muka Kulu and Edward Goma tried tirelessly but to no avail.
Wigmen coach Andiki Andrew said he was pleased with the way his players secured the win.
“We had to work a lot on our defence to beat the opposition knowing that this was the only way to succeed in finals football,” he said.
Opposition coach Steven Nightingale said too many handling errors had cost them the match.
Nightingale said the opposition “were better than us on the day”.
“The way they played together could see them go all the way. Good luck to them,” he said.