Muruks suffer first loss at the hands of defending premiers

Reigning Digicel ExxonMobil Cup champions Enga Mioks pulled off an upset with a 22-14 win over competition leader Mendi Muruks.

The Muruks were handed their first loss of the season by the Billy Gau-coached Mioks with a banger at the Lae Rugby League Oval on Sunday.

Mioks started the season leisurely with four straight defeats but have shifted the gear in rounds five and six with back-to-back wins.

The Premier rugby league kicked off on Saturday with Waghi Tumbe hosting Mt Hagen Eagles at the Jon Amben Oval. The visitors couldn’t stand the might of the host side as Tumbe defended their territory with a 20-10 win.

Port Moresby Vipers continued their glowing performance at the Santos National Football Stadium, holding Agmark Gurias to a 26-14 defeat in the first match of the triple header.

The second encounter saw Central Dabaris and Hela Wigmen settling for a 24-24 stalemate whilst Kimbe Cutters bounced back to their captivating ways with a 24-18 victory against the winless Gulf Isou.

Cutters regrouped from the loss against Vipers in the previous round with a scintillating performance over Isou, who are yet to register a win in the 12-team competition despite the young outfit’s performance in the past 6 rounds.

Meanwhile, in Goroka, the Lahanis were able to capitalize on home advantage to ease past Lae Snax Tigers by four points [22-18], concluding the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup round 6 fixtures.