Lae Snax Tigers

The Tigers flew into the nation’s capital this morning and had a training session with the SP Hunters at the National Football Stadium to finalize preparations before they leave for Fiji tomorrow morning.

“We’ve been in training for 6 weeks now with the last two weeks focused on the Melanesian Club Championship, and we’re grateful to the Hunters for this afternoon’s session.

“We’ve been studying our opposition’s camp and we can see that they are serious about this match, but so are we.

Blue Heelers, a dark horse in the competition, came from behind to eventually enter the finals, only to be defeated by a determined side by 18 points.

However, their efforts were not wasted. They collected K4,000 as the runner-up while the premiers pocketed K6,000.

Heelers manager Wilsen Tapi was impressed with his players, claiming that the team was formed during the week before the games commenced over the weekend.

"We were able to put a team up for this competition and happy we have made into the finals and bow out as the runner ups," Tapi said.

The Cup was handed to the RLIF right before the Australian PM’s XIII and NGCB PM’s XIII clash at the National Football Stadium.

The Melanesian Club Championship concept was started last year with the winners of Papua New Guinea's Digicel Cup competition (Gurias) and Fiji's Vodafone Cup competition (Sabeto Roosters) facing off in Port Moresby.

The Gurias won the inaugural Melanesian Club Championship beating the Roosters 42-2.

Chairman of the Agmark Rabaul Gurias, John Nightingale said it was an honour to win the Championship Cup and hold onto it for a year.

Naru said after three solid years in waiting, they have made it through and commended the team for putting up a spiritual fight with a convincing 14-8 victory over reigning premiers, Rabaul Agmark Gurias.

"We have come after four elusive years. Credit to all our players, coach and team officials. Big thank you to our major Lae Biscuit Company and all the other supporting sponsors.

"With that, all praise and thanks to God."

Leading 18-12 at the break with three converted tries by the tigers and two from the Eagles it was any body’s game for the taking in the second half.

When Eagles soar through the tigers defense with a quick unconverted try in the opening minutes of the first half, which changed the game to look the other way with the scores at 18-16.

But with a torpedo kick that left Eagles fullback fumbled the ball over, the tigers retaliated scoring their fourth converted try of the game to lead 24-16.

The Tigers shot up to first place after the Gurias suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Waghi Tumbe over the weekend.

The Tigers now remain the only undefeated team in the competition on 11 points (from 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 bye).

The progressive ladder after 6 rounds:

Snax Lae Tigers (11) Agmark Rabaul Gurias (10), Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles (9), Kemele Hela Wigmen (7), PRK Gulf Isapea (7), Waghi Tumbe (7), EPG Mioks (7) PRK Mendi Muruks (5), SNS Port Moresby Vipers (4), Bintangor Goroka Lahanis (4), TNA Lions (1).

Coach Stanley Tepend said his boys are looking forward to a strong match after coming off a bye on Sunday when season proper commenced. 

Tepend said the only challenge would be playing in a big stadium – the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. 

"My boys are not exposed to such a facility which might be a hurdle for some but otherwise, preparation is all good," Tepend said. 

"The inclusion of Hunters forward Ishmael Balkawa is a plus as he has already played with the PM’s 13 last year and the Hunters this year." 

Balkawa will pack the scrum. 

Coach Stanley Tepend announced the final squad yesterday which comprises a handful of young talents from the Lae School Boys rugby.

Tepend also maintained the services of former Kumuls David Loko, Roy Kela and Sydney Fred to lead the pack.

Play makers Charles Martin, Pasu Awene, Robert Vuai and Charlie Simon make up the starting lineup. The Digicel Cup season kicks off this Sunday.  

Full Tigers squad:

Tigers mauled Lions 20-10 and are leading the Digicel Cup race with 21 points to Lion's 20.

Tigers proved too strong for the Lions by holding a 16-0 lead at the break and continued dominating the match until the last 20 minutes when their defence appeared to relax.

Lions scooped two tries in the dying stages which at least  made their fans a little satisfied.

Tigers registered an unconverted try through winger Robert Vuia and extended the lead after 20 minutes through replacement forward Mogi Wei Jr scoring under the uprights.

Second rower David Loko and halfback Charlie Simon were standouts for the Tigers.

The match was a one-sided affair in the second stanza after a strong display of footy by both sides in the first half with scores tied at 6-4 in favour of the Tigers. 

Loko (pictured), a former PNG Hunters man, unleashed a man-of-the-match performance, showing much experience and leadership with hit ups, speed and offloads.

Simon scored two tries and booted all conversions and penalties.