Muruks, Tigers grab wins in Lae clashes

SOUTHERN Highlands franchise Mendi Muruks took down the Gulf Isou 34-12 while Hela Wigmen upset Lae Tigers 16-10 in a round 11 double-header of the Digicel Exxon Mobil Cup at the Lae League on Sunday.
The contrasting matches provided fans with equal doses of flair and brutality with the Muruks cranking out a solid offensive effort to down the luckless Isou following the Gulf side’s 62-10 capitulation to the Mioks in Wabag seven days earlier.
Mendi prop Yves David was in fine form claiming the first try in the opening 10 minutes for his side with a typical barging effort from close range.
The Isou were willing opponents despite the scarring from the Enga experience and centre Joseph Heni converted a try by winger Kennedy Kenny for the Gulf men to level the scores.
Muruks hooker Jerry Joe crossed to give his side a 12-6 lead.
And fullback Myles Posu grabbed the Muruks’ third four-pointer with the conversion going astray but Mendi still held a comfortable 16-6 lead at the break.
Kenny sneaked over three minutes in the second half to get Gulf back into the contest and set up a close finish with the scores at 12-16.
Muruks Garry Parai banked another try for the men in black and white boosting their total to 28 following a conversion Finley Peter for a 28-12 advantage heading into the final quarter.