Wigmen strangle Lahanis

The National Sports

By PATRICIA KEAMO
REIGNING Digicel Cup champions Hela Wigmen led from the start to kick off their title defence with a 24-4 win over Goroka Lahanis in round one in Port Moresby yesterday. In the Morobe capital, last year’s losing grand finalists, Lae Snax Tigers, opened their campaign with a 48-20 win over Mt Hagen Eagles and Mendi Muruks beat Enga Mioks 16-12.Waghi Tumbe recorded the upset of the round with 32-20 win over reigning minor premiers Rabaul Gurias the first match of the Port Moresby double-header on Saturday. In the clash between the Wigmen and Lahanis,, the Charlie Wabo-coached champions dominated possession to open the scoring in the 10th minute with a converted try through Cliff Denge at the Oil Search National Football Stadium. Hooker-cum-forward Patrick Morea scored the Kroton-sponsored Wigmen’s second try via an assist by Tony Wemin.  A successful Allan Simbiri conversion gave the Wigmen a 12-0 lead. The Bintangor-sponsored visitors re-grouped but any chance of a fightback was put to rest when Wigmen centre Junior Igila scored two tries in as many minutes to seal the win. The Lahanis’ only points came via an unconverted Ake Paluse try seconds from halftime. The second half was scoreless as the intensity of the game dropped with poor ball security by both side and Wigmen’s Jack Alu was put on report by referee James Kundi. Papua New Guinea Kumuls legend Wabo told The National that despite the win, there was still more room for improvement ahead of round two. “The team performance wasn’t up to our expectations,” Wabo said. “There were a lot of dropped balls and errors which we need to work on before our next clash with the Eagles. “The halves combination too wasn’t as we had hoped, so there are plenty (of areas) to work on as we look to take it one game at a time.” Results: Sat, June 5 — Waghi Tumbe 32 Rabaul Gurias 20, Port Moresby Vipers 16 Kimbe Cutters 6; Sun, June 6 — Hela Wigmen 24 Goroka Lahanis 4, Central Dabaris 8 Gulf Isou 8, Lae Tigers 48 Mt Hagen Eagles 20, Mendi Muruks 16 Enga Mioks 12.