Port Moresby Vipers win PNG's Rugby League Digicel Cup

Vipers player tackled by Lahanis players. Post Courier Photo

THE Port Moresby Stop and Shop Vipers’ venom was too powerful that it broke a 19 year drought with a classy 36-14 win over Goroka Bintangor Lahanis in the Digicel Cup Grand Final in Port Moresby yesterday.

The match was officially kicked off by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and witnessed by Minister James Marabe, Vice Minister Labi Amaiu, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, MP Wera Mori and others. 

But their win was not easy against the minor premiers and former champions.

The battle was between the Goroka Lahanis who were rested for two weeks against the Vipers who played “do or die” for the past three weeks.

Vipers’ winger, Eliza Riyong opened the scoring after a chip kick by Israel Eliab and with Sebastian Pandia converting from the side line say the home side take the early lead.

Four minutes later, the Lahanis Bernard Tatsim Jnr scored beside the uprights and the conversion was successful to level the scores.

At the 20 minute mark, Lahanis scored again out wide and the stage was set for a cracking first half. 

Isreal Eliab dummied his way through the Lahanis defence 10m out to level the scores .

Minutes before half time, Vipers interchange Stanley Torato skipped past some tiring defence and with Pandia’s conversion successful, Vipers went into the half time breal with a 16-10 lead. 

In the second half, Vipers showed some classy play and when Eliab, Riyong and Joshiah Abavu scored in the first 20 minutes, the Lahanis were well and truly down. Five minutes before time, Lahanis scored but then time ran out and the Vipers had sewn the game up win their first major title in 19 years.

Man of the match and Vipers inspirational captain Larsen Marabe said after the game: “We have finally done it. Thank you to Stop N Shop and all our families for the support throughout this year. Thank you NCD Governor for your support.”

Post Courier