Lae Snax Tigers

The reigning premiers put the pressure on the Gurias right from the kick off after forcing an error.

The first points of the major semi-final went to Tigers five-eighth Edwin Ipape, who sliced through the defence to score in the 3^rd minute.

The Tigers continued to apply pressure and found the try line again in the 15-minute mark when an inside ball floated to a flying Enoch Sine, allowing him to cross over.

The Gurias were able to weather the storm and found their rhythm in the back end of the first half.

In Port Moresby on Saturday, Mioks defeated Kroton Hela Wigmen 24-4.

In today’s matches:

Waghi Tumbe defeated NCDC Port Moresby Vipers 34-18 in Minj.

Gurias took out PRK Mendi Muruks 18-4 in Kokopo.

While, Tigers beat Bintangor Goroka Lahanis 20-18 in Goroka.

In Minj, the Wigmen def. Waghi Tumbe 22-12 while in Goroka, the Lahanis def. EPG Enga Mioks 38-14.

To the game in Lae, the Tigers def. PRK Mendi Muruks 16-4.

Across to Kokopo, the Gurias def. NCDC Port Moresby Vipers 22-14.

The Tigers are sitting on top of the competition points ladder on eight points after their 14-8 win over EPG Enga Mioks on Sunday.

The PRK Mendi Muruks are in second place, having lost only one game to the Kroton Hela Wigmen back in round one.

The Mioks and Waghi Tumbe have only registered one win this season, while the NCDC Port Moresby Vipers are still winless.

The current standings:

Stanley Tepend’s men opened their season with a 40-0 thumping of the Agmark Rabaul Gurias at home in Lae.

Round two of the competition saw the Tigers hold on to beat a gutsy Kroton Hela Wigmen side 20-16 yesterday at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.

Meanwhile, six other teams are all tied on two points with points for and against separating them.

The NCDC Port Moresby Vipers are the only team yet to register a win.

The current standings after two rounds:

The Tigers raced away to 16-0 lead with tries from Pasu Awane, Enoch Sine and Robert Vuia.

The Tigers continued to dominate possession while the Wigmen struggled to keep up with a fast paced attack.

After managing to muscle up in their defence, the Wigmen finally found their rhythm and got on the scoreboard in the 32^nd minute, after Steven Mark sliced through the defence to run away and score under the posts.

A successful conversion from five eighth William Mone brought the score to 16-6, which was the score at the break.

Supreme Court: OC has power to investigate PM

The Ombudsman Commission has the jurisdiction to investigate Prime Minister Peter O’Neill under the Organic Law on the Ombudsman Commission and make comments involving interpretation and application of constitutional laws.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/supreme-court-oc-has-power-investigate-pm-55611

An elated Coach Stanley Tepend said the teams win must be credited to the team’s play structure, both in defence and in attack on the field during the 80 minutes encounter.

Tepend in recounting the team’s performance said the team had stuck in the first 10 minutes of the first half, however, came back strong settling with three converted tries to lead at 18 points at half time.

He said the Aviators had been strong in defence against the Tigers in the first half but could not maintain the grip in the remaining minutes of the game.

The Tigers did it easy taking a 18-4 lead at half-time and then went on to pile on a further 22 more points from four tries in the second half  at Lawaqa Park, Singatoka, Fiji.

Lock forward for the Tigers, John Andy was awarded the man of the match.

They have become the second Digicel Cup team to win the Melanesian Club Championship Cup after the Agmark Gurias in 2015.

The Melanesian Club Championship concept started in 2015, and the Cup will return to PNG for the second time.

CEO of the PNG Rugby Football League, Reatau Rau conveyed this message on behalf of Chairman, Sandis Tsaka when handing over the Melanesian Cup to Snax Tigers sponsor, Ian Chow yesterday.

“In act of recognisance of our heritage and families and supporters, the PNGRFL and Lae Snax Tigers have decided to dedicate this match to honour a staunch and dedicated supporter of rugby league in PNG and franchise owner of Snax Tigers, the late Sir Henry Chow who passed away recently.