Wigmen end Vipers’ 2020 Cup campaign

THE Wigmen ended Port Moresby Vipers’ season with 12-8 win in the Digicel Cup minor semifinal at Sir John Guise Stadium yesterday.
In unpleasant scenes, Vipers playmaker and former Kumul Ase Boas copped a couple of late hits from the Wigmen which led to brawls.
The Vipers scored first in the 27th minute through Keven Appo who crossed over after fullback Brandon Gotuno initiated a set move.
A successful conversion by Boas saw them lead 6-0.
Leonard Tarum’s men extended their lead to 8-0 with a penalty goal by Boas nine minutes before halftime.
The first melee happened in the 36th minute when Wigmen forward and former Central Dabari Tommy Moide was penalised for a late hit on SP Hunters skipper Boas.
After several failed attempts in the Vipers’ red zone, the Wigmen finally recorded points at the stroke of halftime through forward Jeffery Robert who barged his way over to score under the uprights.
A successful conversion from Solomon Pokari saw them trail 6-8.
Wigmen pack led by Samuel Yegip, Tommy Moide and Jeffery Robert maintained their intensity in the second half.
But Vipers captain Ade Kawa, Appo, Manu Kame, Enoch, Maki and Joel Kee didn’t shy away from the challenge despite the Wigmen having their fans cheering them on.
Wigmen winger Solo Wane bagged the winner when he caught the Vipers’ defence napping and crossed over on the right edge.
The Wigmen took the lead for the first time in the game as Pokari extended the lead to 12-8 with a successful conversion.
The second melee happened 15 minutes from fulltime when Wigmen prop Yegip put on a late hit on Boas. Yegip was sin-binned, giving the Vipers a numerical advantage but the Wigmen held on for the win.