A SECOND half sideline pep talk and an incentive from Chuave MP and Goroka Lahanis board member, Wera Mori was the tonic the Lahanis needed to boost them to a crushing 30-8 win over the Gulf Isapea in Goroka yesterday.
Trailing 8-0 by half time and the Isapea proving to be a better side than expected, the Lahanis needed the right motivation to drive their spirits and that was when Mori got the players revved up. The Crocodiles, coming off a 16-8 upset over Port Moresby Vipers last Sunday, went to the National Sports Institute at Goroka determined to hand the proud Eastern Highlanders another ignominious result and it seemed like that was the way the match was headed after the first half. The Gulf side simply outplayed the Lahanis in all facets and consternation was etched in the faces of fans at the NSI Oval. Incisive running and clever angles employed by the Port Moresby-based side had them getting over the gain-line with ease. The Isapea crossed the chalk twice in the opening 40 through lock Ila Alu for a 8-0 scoreline at the break. Croc prop Henry Tabal, skipper Bernard Goma, Kamb Yer and Alu simply ran rings around the host side and appeared to have the game well within their grasp. However, the Lahanis looked a different outfit after a blasting from coach George Abba and the rallying call by Mori. It did the trick, with the home side responding with two quick tries early in the second stanza. After taking the lead in the 60th minute, the Lahanis kicked on putting the points on the visitors to leave the fans with smiles on their faces at fulltime. Tries to centre Francis Takai (2), hooker Aimon Ian, second-rower Spirrow Mikaive and man-of-the-match and winger Felix Tatsim ensured the Isapea left the Highlands rueing what could have been after such a positive start. The Crocodiles did launch a comeback in the second half but were kept in check by assured defence and damaging runs by the Lahanis pack led by Bernard Tatsim Jr and Gonzella Urakusie. Results: Gurias 28 Vipers 22, Muruks 22 Wigmen 10, Eagles 26 Lions 26, Mioks 10 Tumbe 4, Lahanis 30 Isapea 8. The National Comments are closed.
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