Tigers through to grand final

The Lae Snax Tigers booked the first spot in the Digicel Cup grand final after their 18-16 win over the Agmark Rabaul Gurias at the PNG Football Stadium this afternoon.

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 3rd 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.

Tuvi Lepan scored first for the Gurias in the 29th minute followed by another from Brian Gispe five minutes later.

Two successful conversions from Jason Missian allowed the Gurias to take a 12-10 lead at the break.

Joe-Joe Wallamas put the Tigers back in front after barging his way over to slam the ball down five minutes into the second half.

The lead changed again after 60 minutes when some razzle dazzle football from the Gurias produced points through Gispe, who dived over on the wing.

A missed conversion from Missian put the score at 16-14.

The match was in the balance, setting up a thrilling last quarter.

With less than ten minutes on the clock, it looked like the Gurias had done enough to book their ticket in the grand final.

But an error from John Ragi Jnr in the Gurias’ own half proved costly.

With a fresh set of six up their sleeves, the Tigers surged home.

Captain and half-back Charlie Simon knew how to go for points and went out wide, creating an overlap for Pasu Awane to score the winning try and take the Tigers to their second consecutive grand final on September 9.

The Gurias will play the winner of the elimination final between the Kroton Hela Wigmen and PRK Mendi Muruks that is currently underway.

 

Author: 
Troy Taule