The Goroka Lahanis are the 2018 Digicel Cup champions after prevailing in a tough and exciting final against Enga Mioks in the grand final on the weekend.
Representing the Eastern Highlands Province in the PNG’s semi-professional rugby league competition; they won 10-6 in front of a big crowd at the sold out National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The quality of the competition and the behaviour of the fans was a standout feature of the final, with supporters who flew all the way from Goroka and Wabag to watch this game enjoying the event together.
The Enga-based team had former and current Hunters like Roger Laka, Eddie Dafa, Junior Bobby and Paul Wawa playing for them in the final; however, the Eastern Highlanders had only one big name player in former international Gonzalo Urukasi who led his young team to victory in a tight affair.
It was a tense affair for the first 30 minutes of the game and the Mioks were first side to breal the deadlock when the experienced Wawa went over in the corner.
The Goroka side replied shortly after and scored two tries to pull ahead of the minor premiers and win Cup for the second time in an upset.
*Levington Melvin Levongo is a QRL correspondent covering the PNG Hunters
