Lae’snax Tigers and Agmark Rabaul Gurias have secured the semi-final spot in this year’s Digicel Cup competition after their respective victories yesterday.
The Lae Tigers walked over the Enga Mioks with 22 points to 8 in Lae while the Hela Wigmen was thrashed by the Rabaul Gurias in Kokopo.
The Enga Mioks were the first to register on the score board leading the Tigers 6 -nil in the first 10 minutes of the game.
After a few sillies from the Mioks, the Tigers recouped and scored a try twenty in from the touch to centre Bernard Lama.
Halfback Ate Bina Wabo couldn’t put the ball in between the uprights which saw the Tigers trailing at 4 points to 6.
With about a minute remaining before halftime, Tigers beefed up their attacks sending in forward Kot Kerowa, to score under the uprights to put the Lae boys in front with 10 points.
Since taking out the minor premiership, the Lae franchise has been hard at training to maintain their top form in the competition.
Five minutes into the second half, a late shoulder charge on Mioks hooker Leon Cletus gave way for a penalty conversion in front of the uprights for the Mioks, which saw them trailed 10 points to 8.
The game continued on for another 10 minutes before winger Justin Olam dived over for a chip kick from Ate Bina Wabo to score for the Tigers.
The Tigers put on a defensive play in the final twenty minutes of the game which prevented the weary Mioks from breaking through.
With about 5 minutes remaining, Tigers powerhouse lock Ismael Balkawa dummied within the 10metre line and went in to score the final try of the day.
The Tigers and Agmark Rabaul Gurias will take a bye this weekend in preparation to take on the winners of the preliminary finals, which will be played between Mioks , Lahanis, Wigmen and Vipers.
Meanwhile, the Lae Rugby League Association has congratulated the management and players of the Lae Tigers for taking out the minor premiership as well as securing a spot in the semi-finals.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=c-UPfAofEPE%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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