Digicel Cup 2022

After their big win over Kroton Hela Wigmen in Lae Last week, Muruks are now outright leaders on 24 points closely followed by Agmark Gurias and Wigmen in 2^nd and 3^rd spots on 22 pts apiece.

Muruks is looking forward to walk over JPG Waghi Tumbe this Sunday followed by PRK Gulf Isou in the last round of the regular season.

Gurias and Wigmen are also keeping their hopes high to snatch the minor honours, should Muruks lose at least one of their remaining two games.

The game was the first of the Round 15 top of the table double header played in front of a capacity crowd at the Lae rugby league oval on Sunday.

It was a reality check and more so a positive outcome for the Roderick Puname coached side after they were ambushed by Gurias 28-20 in Kokopo last week.

For Wigmen' it was their first defeat after a 5 game winning streak but still maintain 3rd spot.

In the main game of the afternoon, Lae Snax Tigers under new coach Charlie Wabo held off a late fight back from the Agmark Gurias to come winners 14-12 at full time.

The tussle is between the top four heavyweights, Rabaul Gurias, Mendi Muruks, Hela Wigmen and Lae Snax Tigers, raring to hit the ground running in a round 15 blockbuster at the Lae Rugby League oval on Sunday.

Second placed Muruks, humbled by Gurias last week are looking to bounce back against 3rd placed and a fired up Wigmen currently in superb winning form at the moment will look to maintain form.

It was Wigmen‘s little livewire Tapie Solu jumping out of dummy half to put Wigmen in front first 6-0 before Vipers reciprocated with a freakiest corner try to left winger Kora Lega to equalize 6.

Wigmen again continued to dominate field position and this time the nippy Patrick Morea scored a trademark try from dummy half to put Wigmen back in front 12-6.

He said that despite a minor incident involving a few Muruks supporters during the match, everything ended peacefully at fulltime.

The former Goroka Lahanis enforcer and now Gurias skipper, Takai played a leading role in the win. 
He also thanked sponsors, families and fans for coming out to support the two teams who played in the true spirit of the game and ended successfully.

In the Round 14 of the Digicel Cup Competition, the top-of-table blockbuster had everything and lived up to expectations.

At halftime, Gurias led 6-4, after a closely contested first half.

The much-anticipated match of the round kicked off at a frantic pace with the visitors, Muruks going in first to score an unconverted try to take the lead 4-0, at 18 minutes into the first half.

Muruks with their noses in front kept up the pace of the game using their heavy forward pack to mount pressure on Gurias defense but to no avail.

Muruks lead with 22 points followed by Gurias and Wigmen with 20 points apiece. Reigning champions Tigers are on 17 points.

As intensity continues to build in the country's premier rugby league competition with only 4 more rounds left of the regular season, the Southern Highlands franchise, continued their current winning form with another dominant display over bottom placed Wamp Nga Mt.Hagen Eagles 36-8 in Lae yesterday.

After 13 rounds of competition the Roderick Puname coached side have kept a season's best record yet of 11 wins with only two losses.

The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) has had a two-week recess after Round 11 due to the polling period of the 2022 National General Elections. 

On Saturday, Round 12 matches will be played in Kimbe, Kokopo, and a double header in Port Moresby. The Minj games are being relocated to Port Moresby. 

While favourites continued their winning ways, Port Moresby, Lae and Kimbe recorded mixed results.

In Port Moresby Central Dabaris again lived up to its name tag as “the entertainers” of the country’s premier national rugby league competition, after giving  JPG Waghi Tumbe a hiding on Saturday notching up 40 points to 18 at the Santos National Football stadium.