Posted By Staff Reporter
Post Courier By KEVIN TEME Agmark Gurias fullback Albert Patak maintained his brilliant form scoring the killer blow just nine minutes before fulltime to devastate the Stop n Shop Port Moresby Vipers 18-16 in round 17 of the Digicel Cup at the Lloyd Robson Oval yesterday. The victory sees the Gurias claiming the minor premiership and will host the first major semi final in home at the Kalabond oval while Vipers will now struggle to win the last remaining game to overcome any away game which may see them facing an uphill battle. Another disappointing but strong win came from the Wantok Gaming System Mt Hagen Eagles when they defeated the Snax Lae Tigers 14-10 at the Rabiamul oval despite the PNGNRL stripping off their six competition points. While they may be out, the Eagles proved that they were meant for the finals football but the non payment of the gate levy fees were the let down. In the upset of the round was when the Structural Bridgign System Mendi Muruks came from behind to beat the Toksy Nema coached Enga Provincial Governmetn Mioks 16-10 in Lae yesterday. What was more interesting on card was players vying for the PNG Kumuls selections however with another disappointment from the Vipers supporters and fans when referee Moses Tolingling gave away a total of 13 penalties to Gurias then Vipers 7 which at one stage had the supporters getting down on reserve referee Guma Opi and former Digicel Cup referee Tony Kuni.
Both sides came in strongly however it was Gurias never say die effort that paid off well for the visitors who now face Muruks in this coming weekend’s game in Lae before taking a bye the following weekend in the first eilimation of the Digicel Cup kicks off. “All the boys played well but we need to just correct some few errors in some department before we can prepare for the finals,” head coach Michael Marum said. Vipers were the first to score through fullback Joshaia Abavu in which hooker Ate Bine Wabo failed to convert and led 4-0. Gurias retaliated from a quick try through speed star Ase Boas before center Francis Paniu added another to lead 10-4. Vipers never broke down and a good ball from halfback Sebulon Ragi Jnr saw second rower Sebastian Pandia budging over to score under the upright. Bine converted to lock the score at 10-10 before center Israel Eliab scored a converted try to lead 16-10 to the break. Gurias star center Paniu broke the silence again scoring for the Gurias in which half back Ase Boas did nto find the upright and trail 14-16 before Patak gave the killer blow in the 70th minute to win 18-16. Vipers’ players were disappointed with the referring however they also blamed themselves for positional change which also had an impact in the game. Comments are closed.
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