NCDC Port Moresby Vipers

When confirming the squad this week, Vipers Head Coach Joe Sipa said while some focus will be on youngsters from the Vipers development team and schools boys; he has also included a good number of seasoned players from other franchises, while retaining bulk of last year’s playing group.

While retaining 14 players from last year’s team, Vipers Coach Joe Sipa has also welcomed into camp former Hunters and Lae Snax Tigers five-eight Charlie Simon from Mendi Muruks last year and journey man Nicky Hasu from Tigers year.

This was after the Isou scored a controversial try in the final 30 seconds of the match to win a match marred by several contentious calls by the referee.

The Isou match winner was scored by centre Mena Minne, but replays show that he in fact knocked the ball on.

Vipers players argued with the referee but the referee stuck to his decision, resulting in players verbally expressing their frustration in which the referee placed them all on report.

The first half was riddled with mistakes as both teams were unable to build any consistency throughout.

A break from Brendon Gotuno presented the Vipers with the first opportunity to score.

Fast hands put Rex Tandowa over to score out on the wing in the 14th minute.

Repeated sets to the Vipers had the defending champions under the pump but one mistake from the Vipers turned the tide.

A short ball from Noel Joel sent a charging Casey Dickson in for the Tigers’ first points.

Former Gurias star now Tigers halfback, Jason Missian, added the extras to put his side in front after 26 minutes.

Former SP Hunter and PNG Kumul forward, Henry Wan Noki got Tumbe on the board early in the 7th minute when he barged over to score.

The city boys hit back soon after winger Damien Herod snuck past the defence for a try.

Tumbe were impressive, dominating the remainder of the first half, crossing the line two more times through Israel Balio and Wari Molu.

Halfback Raven Jonah extended Tumbe's lead after kicking a penalty goal right in front of the sticks.

The score was left at 20-4 at the break.

The Mioks found the try line first, right before the 20-minute mark after a break from Junior Bobby drawing in the defence before passing out to a flying Daniel Tapol to score out wide.

From the sideline, Jeffery Para struck it clean to take the Mioks to a 6-0 lead.

These were the only points in the first half.

The Mioks extended their lead minutes into the second half after Para kicked a penalty from thirty metres out.

The city boys finally got on the board late in the match when Rex Maima scored.

The Wigmen hit the lead in the first five minutes after Clyde Name dived over on the wing.

The Vipers were able to hit back just before the break when centre Lawrence Kuso scored.

However, the kick from Maxwell Doriga was unsuccessful, leaving the score at half-time at 6-4.

Poor ball handling in the second half from the Vipers meant more possession for their opponents.

The Wigmen made the Vipers pay dearly, scoring twice in ten minutes through Standford Talita and Paul Karbi.

This brought the score to 16-4.