The Moni Plus NCD Vipers claim a draw against the Enga Mioks on Sunday June 23rd at the National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.
The trailing NCD Vipers claimed enough points to draw against the Enga Mioks thanks to Vipers’ Second rower and former SP Hunters Julius Yakopa in the dying 5 seconds remaining till full time.
The NCD Vipers in their home ground lifted quickly gained the lead in the first 10minutes of the first half, by their same right center Thomas Kuipa scoring 2 tries. However, Vipers’ five eight failed to sink both conversions but still in the lead of 8-8.
The games intensity grew quickly as the Enga Mioks were yet to score their first.
Dropped balls and high tackles from both teams increased and fueled the players to run and defend hard.
The Enga Mioks took advantage during a high tackle penalty gaining up to 20meters of the Vipers’ try line when the Enga Mioks reserve center Joshua Philip excelled his way through the NCD Vipers’ defense twice scoring two third in the 30th minutes including another in the 39th minute of the full time of first Half, Enga Mioks leading 12-8.
The 6th minute into the second half saw NCD Vipers’ fullback Henry Marai take his own course into the Enga Mioks try line pushing the NCD Vipers to the lead 14-12 following a successful conversion.
The NCD vipers exhausted their efforts to defend their lead with defense, challenging the Enga Mioks to score until the Mioks fired back with a try in the 19th minutes by forwards prop Yomo Yakopa following a successful conversion leading the game 18-14.
The remaining 18 minutes saw the Vipers brutally persevered their way to gain the lead but were defeated by mistake and the Enga Mioks strong defense.
With less than 5 minutes left, the Enga Mioks slowly playing to delay time, the vipers gained possession of the ball from lost ball and slowly developed their way to the try line.
The ball was released to the short side to the second rower Julius Yokopa, where he shoved not three but four players from his path and score the final try.
The Vipers levelled the scoreboard 18-18 then an unsuccessful conversion left both teams at draw 18 points all.
Brutal sights witnessed in the second half, both team players were eager to cause pain during attack and defense, verbal insults were exchanged following the hard tackles and runs.
This became frequent in the full second half 40 minutes which lead to 3players sin binned and close to three quarrels in 10 minutes.
Luckily no major injury or violence was encountered during the game and quarrels.