Port Moresby Vipers

Disregarding their standing on the ladder, the Muruks came out physically to nearly upset the Vipers.

But a Supa George Fabian grubber ensured the scores were locked five minutes from full time.

It was a physical match from the go with both teams muscling up in defense.

But it was some brilliant running and dummying from Vipers halfback, Ate Bina Wabo, who opened the scoring.

The Muruks would respond 10 minutes later through some inside running from captain Jack Manda from a Leonard Alphonse pass.

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.

Isapea were first on the board in the first half in the 25th minute when prop Bradley Yano bulldozed over to score.

Solomon Pokari had no trouble adding the extras to make it 6-0.

The Gulf boys extended the lead in the second half when winger John Horope dived over in the 51st minute.

Pokari made it two from two to put his side comfortably in front.

But the Vipers struck back just 8 minutes later through Brandan Gutono.

A successful conversion from Quintan Ragi made it 12-6.

They were defeated by Snax Lae Tigers 28-10 in front of over 2000 supporters at the National Football Stadium on Sunday.

Vipers were the first to score five minutes into the game through Raymond Tia 4-0 after a missed conversion from Quintan Ragi.

It was a physical game spiced with bone-crushing tackles that had the supporters on their feet, cheering their favourite team on.

Tigers fought back to score their first try of the season six minutes later through right winger Butler Morris, who dived in to score a corner try.

They’re Mendi Muruks, Rabaul Gurias, Goroka Lahanis, Vipers, Enga Mioks, Mt Hagen Eagles, Gulf Isapea, TNA Lions, Hela Wigmen, Waghi Tumbe and Lae Snax Tigers.

The official kick off will get underway at 3pm at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. The event will see Moresby Vipers take on Gulf Isapea.

This is the first time a Digicel Cup match will be played at the new stadium that caters for over 15,000 people.