Mioks reclaim pole spot as Dabaris surge up the ladder

Reigning Digicel ExxonMobil Cup champions Enga Mioks have reclaimed the no.1 spot whilst Central Dabaris moved up to the fifth position after the round 15 matches.

Mioks outmuscled Hela Wigmen, 20-16 at Aipus Oval, taking control of the ladder after being held at second spot over the past three weeks.

The weekend fixtures were excitingly concluded with Dabaris putting on a flair against the former competition leaders Eagles in a thrilling 38-14 contest.

The Central province flagship team stunned the visitors, opening the accounts early for a 26-0 lead in first half before perfectly winding down the game.

First point of Sunday afternoon’s affair at Santos National Football Stadium came through Dabaris second rower Lega Batia, who went in untouched on the 7th minute mark.

Dabaris went in for the second try via skipper Rex Kaupa after 12 minutes before a runaway try to speedster Bartholomew Evi set the platform in a 14-0 scoreline.

The home side had too much pace to handle when flyer Douglas Pirika made a line break to setup halfback Lote Kuman, who turned Eagles fullback Dickon Pipi inside out for a try under the bar to extend the margin 20-0.

With under 3 minutes left on the clock, hooker Mathew Wawe flawlessly summed up the first up entertainment with a try near the uprights to take comfortable 26-0 lead into sheds.

Eagles fought back in the last quarter of second stanza with three tries but the fast-finishing Dabaris sealed the game with two more four-pointers, pushing them up the ladder.

The Francis Ray-coached Eagles have dropped to third place, paving way for Mendi Muruks to second spot after they defeated Port Moresby Vipers 22-12.

Lae Snax Tigers sit fourth on the ladder following the 14-14 draw against Agmark Gurias. The East New Britain team have slipped to sixth place.

In other matches, Goroka Lahanis outran the winless Gulf Isou outfit, 26-18 and Waghi Tumbe ran riot over Kimbe Cutters, 38-8 to keep their season alive.