Mioks pip Vipers infront of Lae fans The National, Monday July 14th, 2014 By LARRY ANDREW ENGA Mioks halted Port Moresby Vipers winning streak with a 12-10 win in front of a capacity crowd at Lae Rugby League ground. There was a minute’s silence before the kick off to acknowledge the tragic death of former Kumul and lae resident Peter Barnanga, who was found death in his car parked at a nigh club over the weekend. The first 20 minutes of the game were scoreless as both sides could not gain enough momentum to pressure their opposition try line. The Mioks, well-known for being relentless scored the first try of the game through centre and Jaka Investment man of the match recipient Charles Martin putting a grubber for winger Richard Reto to touch down for an unconverted try. Vipers returned the football down to Mioks territory when dynamic hooker Presley Soto made a clean break on the left edge side beating several Mioks players before placing a kick for fullback Josiah Abavu but the ball beat the Kumul and went dead. Mioks responded through their forwards with Steven Talin, Joe Kingal, Randy Joseph, Miniga Kit and Rex Yallon forging a path into Vipers territory. Referee Paul Wani penalised the Vipers for a dangerous tackle which saw captain Charlie Simson kick the penalty for a 6-0 lead. The resumption of play in the second half was a different tale as the city boys led by captain Richard Kambo, prop Enoch Maki, Stanley Torato and Elizah Riyong used their weight to gain yards and get them into good positions on the field. Israel Steven scored a converted try to level the scores. The mioks driven by their hordeof fans shifted to another gear in the crucial stages of the match – the final quarter – with Martin scoring in the corner. The try was converted which was converted but the lead was cut down to two in the dying stages when Bland Abavu scored an unconverted try to trail 10-12. Mioks 12 (R Reto, C Martin tries; C Simson con, pen) Vipers 10 (I Steven, B Abavu tries; S.Tarato con) HT: 6-0 (Mioks) at the Lae Rugby League Ground.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 05:19:32 +0000