Wigmen book date with Tigers in grand final

THE Hela Wigmen secured their first Digicel Cup grand-final appearance in five years with a 30-10 victory against Waghi Tumbe at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Kroton-sponsored side now face minor premiers Snax Lae Tigers, who had the week off following their 20-12 victory against the Jiwaka government-backed Tumbe in the major semifinal on Aug 24.
The Andiki Andrew-coached side — who finished sixth in the regular season — are just one victory away from completing a fairytale campaign after wins against the Agmark Rabaul Gurias, defending champions Bintangor Goroka Lahanis and Tumbe.
The Wigmen were hungrier than Tumbe and played with all their hearts as they went into the break with a 10-6 lead, thanks to tries from Valentine Culligan (14th minute) and Nanduka Reme, and a conversion by Tombal Peter.
Captain Joe Frank scored Tumbe’s only try of the first half, with Saki Peter adding the extras.
Tumbe came out firing after the break and scored an unconverted try through prop Baundo Aba to level the scores.
However, it was all Wigmen from there on as Stanford Talita weaved through the Tumbe defence from inside his own half to score between the uprights. Peter converted the try to give the Wigmen a 16-10 lead.
Man-of-the-match Talita’s try was followed up by fellow centre Gilmo Paul’s effort out wide in the 72nd minute. Peter converted the extras to push the Wigmen out to a 22-10 lead.
Interchange player Cliff Denge and hooker Dobi Michael closed out the win with tries of their own to send Tumbe, who finished second in the regular, crashing out of the title race.
Wigmen coach Andiki Andrew said it was all about absorbing the pressure, and getting their attacking and defensives structures right.
“We knew that we had nothing to lose coming into the finals so we played according to what works for us,” he said. “We just played our natural game but with a lot more discipline and determination.
“We knew that if we limited our errors, it would help us in attack.”
Tumbe coach Francis Ray admitted that his side simply could not withstand the pressure dished out by the Hela side.
Ray said most of his players were new to semi-professional football apart from Aba, Enoch Maki, Justin Yoka, Daniel Pai and Frank.