Bintangor Goroka Lahanis

This outcome results from the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) Appeals Committee reviewing decisions made by the Match Review Committee on the incident that occurred on Sunday, 24th April 2022 in the Round 1 match played in Goroka between the Lahanis and Kroton Hela Wigmen.

The brand new bus was presented to the team at the National Sports Institute in Goroka.

Local member Aiye Tambua officiated at the presentation, handing over the bus to team franchise owner, Simon Sia.

“The people of Goroka are proud that we are donating the bus because the Lahanis always carries the name of Goroka around everywhere they go and play.

“This season is a very short season, the bus might not be utilized as much but that doesn’t matter, Lahanis is a season, Lahanis will stay, all of us will come and go (but) the Lahanis will be there,” Tambua added.

Being a former player and part of the Lahanis system, Moses will be assisted by Lahanis veteran and captain, Gonzella Urakusi, with the main focus on reinforcing the team’s culture and standards.

As part of the team’s selection criteria to finalise their 2020 squad, a trial match has been scheduled for the 3^rd of February at the NSI. The trial will feature Team Red and Team Brown, comprising development players from the Lahanis Academy program while the regulars will be rested.

Strengths were evenly matched in the first 30 minutes of the match until table-toppers, Mioks, broke the ice with a Paul Wawa try.

A successful conversion ensured a 6-0 lead for them until Brendon Nima responded a few minutes later.

An unsuccessful conversion left the scores at 6-4 until a return from second half saw Mark Tony score the winning try for the Eastern Highlands side.

In front of a tightly-packed National Football Stadium, the Lahanis came from behind to claim the cup with a score of 10-6.

It was a tough encounter between both teams as each fought to gain the upper hand.

However, 19 minutes into the match and a pass from Tumbe’s fullback, Micah Pia, got intercepted by Amos Kafare at the Lahanis’ 40-metre mark.

With three chasers behind the left winger, he gave them a run for their money as he broke the ice with the first try of the match.

It was 4-0 until right before half time, the Lahanis slotted in another try through hooker, Charlie Buka.

It was a slow start for both teams as they battled it out at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

The first game of the triple header in Port Moresby started off under a slightly overcast sky.

It took eight minutes for the Kroton Hela Wigmen to finally find their footing and register a first try for the match.

Wigmen’s Daniel Tapol broke the ice by crossing over the right side of the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis’ line.

An unsuccessful conversion by Stanley Olo left the score at 4-nil.

Yesterday they defeated the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis at the Oil Search National Football Stadium, 14 points to 10.

It was neck and neck through-out the first half of the game until Larsen Marabe scored the first for the 3^rd-placed Vipers, just a couple of minutes before the half-time whistle. Benton Leme met Marabe halfway with a conversion.

Back into second half, the attacks and defense from both sides intensified, but not without a lot of ball handling errors as a fifth-placed Lahanis fought tooth and nail to get one over.

Tries in the first half to Charlie Buka and Amos Kafare gave the Lahanis a 10-6 lead at half time.

The Wigmen's only four pointer came from McKenzie Kei.

The Hela boys found their rhythm in the second half and pushed to the lead after Junior Rau and Towari Kenake crossed over.

The Lahanis never gave up and fought their way back into the contest ten minutes out from full time with another try to Buka.

But the Wigmen were equally determined for the two points and held on until the full time siren.

The man of the match was awarded to Kenake.

Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso says as the team goes through uncertainty on whether Bintagor will continue being the franchisor, the provincial government is ready to back the team up.

She made the statements following recent media reports that Bintangor owner, Simon Sia, will be ending their support to the team. A report which Sia denied.