PRK Mendi Muruks

PNG Hunters Hooker, Wesser Tenza, helped his provincial team snatch the 10-point victory with a solo try before the fulltime siren.

The Muruks, who have been struggling in Pool A against strong opponents in the Lae Snax Tigers and Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, proved their finals credibility in this match.

Registering this win is a confidence booster as Muruks chip away at the remaining matches before the finals. Muruks currently sit behind EPG Enga Mioks, Tigers and Lahanis in Pool A.

The Mendi side defeated the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles 34-16.

Five minutes into the match and Richard Mapi scored the Muruks’ opening try to lead 4-0.

Both teams continued testing each other’s limits until 13 minutes into the game and a charged Mt Hagen side responded through fullback, Caleb Lo. With an unsuccessful conversion, the scores were tied at 4-all until the Eagles’ right centre, Benzie Ben, grounded the ball again.

After five minutes of tussle, Ben broke through for his second try of the match.

While both teams have remained consistent in their winning ways for the majority of the rounds, this year Muruks are looking to upset Gurias on their home turf.

According to local rugby league analysts, tomorrow's top-of-the-table blockbuster fits the bill for a sneak preview to the September grand final.
While it’s a Gurias home game, Muruks have a better for and against striking rate, winning most of their games with over the 30 points margin, and could start as favourites.

From all post-match reports, games were successfully completed without incidences.

From the Lae fixtures, PRK Mendi Muruks had a close one over the WNPG Kimbe Cutters 22- 16.

2021 Digicel Cup defending premiers Lae Snax Tigers under new coach Oscar Tonga showed no mercy for the young CPG Dabaris side with a 38-14 thumping.

At Santos National Football Stadium  Port Moresby PRK Gulf Isou showed a lot of resolve in their defense to stop the rampaging 2021 grand final runners up JPG Waghi Tumbe 14-8 at fulltime.

The Tumbe’s meet the Tigers after thumping PRK Mendi Muruks in yesterday's preliminary final 31-16 in front of a packed crowd at the National Football Stadium.

Skipper and wrecking baller runner Joe ‘the tank’ Frank was voted the Digicel man-of-the-match.

The formidable Lax Snax Tigers will regroup and prepare for the Digicel Cup Grand Final.

The showdown will kick off in two weeks’ time. Coach Stanley Tepend says they will focus on strengthening the weak areas in their performance, which they picked up while playing the PRK Mendi Muruks in the major semi-final round yesterday.

“A win and a week off is good for the players. This will only mean we go back and iron out areas that we feel is enough to get us through the finals. We are very confident and just waiting to play the winner of Muruks and Tumbe,” said Tepend.

The table-toppers fought tooth and nail to gain the upper hand in front of a hyped up crowd at the Lae Rugby League oval on Sunday.

Ten minutes into the first half of the Digicel Cup match and a high tackle by Roy Kela saw the Muruks kick a penalty goal through halfback Josiah Jimmy.

Though the Tigers dominated the Muruks’ side of the field, their efforts to cross the line was repeatedly met with stiff opposition.

Both teams went for break with the scores at 2-0.

A return from second half and another penalty was awarded to the Muruks two minutes in.

Coach Roderick Puname was ecstatic after their rebound in round 6, defeating the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles 30-20.

The Muruks could have escaped by a large margin in the first half had it not been for their numerous ball-handling errors.

The sobering loss to the Goroka Lahanis in last week's Digicel Cup's round 5 saw the Mendi outfit determinedly take the field to restore their lost pride. 

In front of a record crowd at the Lae Rugby League oval, the PRK Mendi Muruks recorded their opening converted try through Clent Lama, 12 minutes into the first match of round six. 

The Mt Hagen Eagles pushed hard to reciprocate. However, a high tackle pushed them back with halfback Josiah Jimmy successfully scoring a penalty kick. 

The Mendi outfit displayed their intentions in the first 8 minutes of Sunday's double-header, with Muruks' centre, Clent Lama, swiftly catching the ball on the right wing to ground it for the opening try. 

Five-eighth Wesley Batari added an extra two points for a 6-point lead. 

22 minutes in and winger Leon Undipia broke through an already tired Cutters defense. With an unsuccessful conversion, the scores were 10-nil until an energetic Batari tore through for another unconverted try, 33 minutes in. 

The teams went for break with their points at 14-0.