Dabaris shock ladder-leading Kandes

The Gas Resource Central Dabaris secured a hard-fought 18-14 victory over the Kandes RLC in Round 12 of the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup (DEM CUP) on Sunday, 5 July 2026, at Port Moresby’s Santos National Football Stadium.

In their earlier encounter in round 2 at Madang’s Ron Albert Oval, the Dabaris defeated the Kandes 30-16. They edged out the newcomers again at Santos National Football Stadium, becoming the only team to beat the Kandes twice this season. 

The Dabaris kicked off the proceedings with high energy after dummy-half Ishmael Rodney scooped the ball from the ruck and swerved past a few defenders to ground the ball next to the padding in the 4th minute, giving the home side a 6-0 lead.

The Kandes responded three minutes later following a strong run by prop Ishmael Waiya, who carried a couple of defenders to score a similar try by Dabaris’ hooker, leveling the score at 6-6. 

The match turned into a stalemate following Waiya’s try. However, the Dabaris’ fullback Nathan Kora pounced on a loose ball and showed a clean pair of heels to score an individual brilliant try, leading 10-6. 

A few minutes later, the Dabaris were penalized inside their 10-meter line for a high tackle. The Kandes opted for a penalty shot, and five-eight Charlie Simon nailed the conversion, trailing the Dabaris by 2 points (10-8) at the break. 

At the resumption, the Kandes were given a penalty inside the Dabaris’ 30-meter red zone for an incorrect play of the ball, and the visitors chose to take a penalty shot to equalize the margin on 10-all.

The Central men hit back in the 50th minute, with second-rower Raymond Embel chasing a fifth last kick and leaping over fullback Cedric Buno to score the Dabaris’ third try and retake the lead to 16-10.

The red-hot Kandes returned the favor in the 68th minute through winger Henry Marai, narrowing the deficit to 18-14. The Dabaris received a penalty and iced the game with an 18-14 scoreline.

Central Dabaris rookie coach Moses Matuka noted that they had beaten the Kandes in round 2, which meant they entered the field with confidence and defeated the competition leaders on their turf.

“We beat the Kandes in Madang and beat them again here (NFS), so I’m very happy with the result,” he said. 

“We want to worry about ourselves and improve on our mistakes, and try to be consistent every round.”

He credited the players for sticking together as a unit, especially defensively, to stop the high-flying Kandes for the second time this season.

Matuka admitted that replacing the outgoing coach, Solomon Kuluniasi, was a big challenge, but having led the Central Dabaris to claim the 2026 National Youth Competition gave him confidence to mentor the DEM Cup team.

“Getting this role from the previous head coach (Solomon Kuluniasi) was a big shoe to fill, but I’m up for the challenge,” he said. 

“This was my coaching debut in the senior men’s team. I’ve won a premiership in NYC and come over, so I’m not new to coaching. It’s just the same old job.”

The Central Dabaris will fly to Jiwaka to meet the Asila Waghi Tumbe in Round 13 of the DEM Cup on Saturday, 11 July 2026, at Jonah Ambane Oval in Minj.