The newcomers the EMK Sepik Pride displayed a stunning game of rugby league at the Santos National Football Stadium on Sunday as they smashed Gulf Isou 14-8 in the second match played in Round 1 of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.
The game was tough as a needle lost in a hay stack as both rivalries physically clashed it out in front of a crowd in favor of the Pride’s which resulted in two fights on the field. Both teams displayed a very strong defense play with only 2 points on the score board at first half.
Coming back at second half and only 4mins into the game, Gulf Isou’s five-eight Justin Yoka surprisingly got a runaway with assistance from Eliakim Lukala (right-center) putting their first try with an unsuccessful conversion taking them to 8-0. Meanwhile, Sepik Prides left-center Joe Frank puts their first try with an unsuccessful conversion leaving the scores at 8-4 still in favor of Gulf Isou.
With only 14mins left on the clock, another try by Pride’s right-center Lizah Iwa followed by a missed conversion, equalizing the score board to 8-8. The last try by the Pride’s putting them in the lead with 14-8 by John Paul who also got the man of the match award. EMK Sepik Pride Head Coach Joe Bruno said, it’s only round one of the competition and getting the first win is normal because anything can happen throughout the competition.
“It’s a great win for the Sepik people back at home,I don’t know, maybe, there breaking the TV screens now , but I don’t know. It’s first time in history for us and our boys back home looking after the fields told us that it’s a must win and with the results, it’s a grand final win feeling for our supports back home.”
Coach Bruno also mentioned that, Watson Boas was unable to take the field due to the top management from England and PNGRFL’s decision with no further comments on the reason why he didn’t take the field.
This will be further determined by the both top managements on when he will take the field.
“We got a last minute call from them advising us that he was not able to take the field that’s why we changed our line-up.”
The Pride’s only fielded four experienced players, a few from the Digicel Cup and the rest were all rookies playing in the team.