PRK Mendi Muruks

PRK Mendi Muruks Chairman,  Isaac Luke, mande the announcement on Wednesday (Jan 30^th).

Isaac said the announcement is part of the club's rebranding and re-strategy for a new and improved flagship team for the Southern Highlands Province.

Speaking for the first time as the Head Coach, Nami said he was happy to join the club after being released from the Lahanis.

The hot Port Moresby heat did not deter the Wigmen in the Digicel Cup round 10 competition.

Less than 3 minutes into the game and Daniel Tapol flew over the Muruk’s tryline, registering the first score for the round 10 match.

A successful conversion by Stanley Olo saw the Wigmen lead with 6 points.

7 minutes later, Benjamin Hetra shouldered past 3 Muruks defenders for another try.

The Muruks responded a few minutes later with a try of their own. Unfortunately, an unsuccessful conversion by Warren Glare left the score at 12-4.

“It has been a turbulent past 4 weeks for us starting with the magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck Hela, Southern Highlands and parts of Enga, Gulf, Western Province and East Sepik where lives have been lost and properties destroyed,” said Wigmen board chairman, Andy Hetra.

Over the weekend, tribal fights escalated in the heart of the provincial capital in Tari, resulting in further loss of lives.

“These are trying time for us, having to represent a province that is torn by natural and manmade disasters.

The Muruks were on the board first after a try to Casey Kuple in the third minute of the match.

The Hela boys responded seven minutes later through Melvin Paul, who flew over on the wing to score.

These were the only points in the first half with the score tied at 6-6.

It was all one way traffic in the early part of the second half with the Wigmen dominating possession.

This eventually led to points after Missach Welen crossed to score out wide.

PNG National Rugby League Competition Manager, Stanley Hondina explained that the Match Review Committee made this ruling following the round eight match played between Kroton Hela Wigmen and PRK Mendi Muruks at the Joe Keviame Oval in Mendi.

 “On two occasions during the match, the referee called time off to remove spectators who crept under the torn inner wire fence because of lack of security at the main gate”, said Hondina.

The match was played in Port Moresby this afternoon.

Tries to Yoks Bagave and Michael Yanis took the Vipers to an 8-0 lead after 15 minutes of play.

The Mendi boys hit back straight after  the restart through a try from fullback Wesley Vali.

Vali successfully converted a penalty kick at goal just before half-time to leave the score at 8-6, in favour of the home side.

Points were hard to come by in the second half as both teams tried desperately to find the try line.

The Wigmen were on the board after six minutes through good vision from halfback David Joseph who ran a second man play to put Standford Talita into space to score.

A mistake from Muruk’s fullback and PNG Pukpuk’s star, Tisa Kautu led to the second try from the Wigmen in similar fashion, but this time to Junior Rau.

An unsuccessful conversion from captain and five-eighth William Mone put the score at 8-0.

“We’re just lacking getting the basics right at the moment. We’re not completing our sets of six, our ball control is poor and so is our defence.

“The Gurias capitalized on this and beat this. They were the better side yesterday afternoon.

 “This week at training will be about getting back to the basics and making sure we do the simple things right,” said Kereme.

He added that there will definitely be changes made for this Sunday’s round 4 clash against the TNA Simbu Lions at home in Mendi.

With a vocal home crowd behind them, the Gurias came out with all guns blazing in Digicel Cup’s round 3 match. The Muruks were forced to mostly defend in the opening minutes as the Gurias threatened to score.

It was the former Muruks player, now Gurias halfback Stanley Olo, who scored the first try in the 7th minute after a barnstorming run to slam the ball over on the wing. The Gurias continued to dominate possession and were in again right before the 20-minute mark when a short ball to Pidi Tongap opened up a gap for him to barge over to score.