Wigmen hand Muruks second loss of the season

By PARKER TAMBUA
MENDI Muruks suffered their second-straight loss in the Digicel Cup season when they went down to Hela Wigmen 16-32 at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
Centre Valentine Wamdi starred for the Kroton-sponsored hosts as he scored a double and was named as the man of the match.
Wigmen winger Siki Konden scored early in the game as his side led 4-0.
The Muruks hit back with a Jojo Walames try which was converted by Charlie Simon as they led 6-4.
Five minutes later, Muruks fullback Douglas David dropped a high kick which saw Wigmen five-eighth Allan Simbiri gaining possession to score beside the uprights.
Simbiri converted his own try as his side led 10-6.
The Muruks responded 12 minutes before halftime through Levai Andrew who scored in the corner.
Former SP Hunters playmaker Simon could not convert the extra as the scores remain levelled.
The seesawing first half continued when Wamdi scored his first try in the corner in the 34th minute. Simbiri failed to convert.
Forward Joshua Nogoya extended the Wigmen’s lead on the stroke of halftime when he ran into a gap to score under the uprights. A successful conversion by Simbiri saw the Wigmen lead 20-10 at halftime.
The Wigmen scored early in the second half when Wamdi completed his double and Solomon Pokari kicked the conversion for a 26-10 lead. After repeat sets in the Wigmen’s territory, the Muruks scored in the corner through winger Leon Undupie.
Simon’s conversion narrowed the margin to 10.
The Muruks had ample possession to get back in the contest, but a lack of communication in attack saw them miss a lot of opportunities through poor finishing with the Wigmen quick to capitalise.
The new-look Wigmen side under coach Seth Ripp will be eyeing a top six finish this year.