The Kroton Hela Wigmen registered the first win of the 2017 Digicel Cup with a 20-12 win over PRK Mendi Muruks at the National Football Stadium today.
The Wigmen were on the board after six minutes through good vision from halfback David Joseph who ran a second man play to put Standford Talita into space to score.
A mistake from Muruk’s fullback and PNG Pukpuk’s star, Tisa Kautu led to the second try from the Wigmen in similar fashion, but this time to Junior Rau.
An unsuccessful conversion from captain and five-eighth William Mone put the score at 8-0.
The Muruks reduced the deficit to trail by a converted try right on the 20 minute mark thanks to halfback Mark Tony who booted through a penalty goal from right in front.
The Hela boys continued to find success attacking the same left wing and in the 28th minute, their lead was extended by a try from Ian Maliaba.
Mone nailed his first for the match converting the try.
A soft try to the Muruks three minutes out from half-time to captain Andrew Ipi put them right back in the contest.
The score at the break was 14-8.
The Muruks edged closer minutes into the second through the class of five-eighth Joe Frank who crossed over for a four pointer.
With the score at 14-12, it was still anybody’s game as both sides levelled up in defence and attack.
The winning try came in the 70th minute when Maliaba was put into space to score near the posts.
Mone made sure of the kick, slotting it through the posts to make it 20-12 for the Wigmen to go on to win the match.