Lahanis shock Vipers in enemy territory

The Bintangor Goroka Lahanis upset the Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers with an 18-12 victory in Round 7 of the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup (DEM Cup) on Sunday, 24 May 2026, at Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby.

The Vipers opened the scoring with a short-side play in the 4th minute after center Joseph Kora used his brute strength to evade past four defenders and ground the ball. Fullback Jeremiah Ben failed to convert the goal, leaving the score at 4-0.

The Lahanis hit back in the 13th minute following a nicely executed second-man play, with winger John Gore scoring an untouched try. Center Fitler Omena added the extras, with the Lahanis taking a 6-4 lead.

With 13 minutes remaining before the half-time, lock-forward and captain Palangat Kanini caught the ball outside the 10-meter line and barged past four defenders to score under the uprights. Omena effortlessly nailed the conversion, taking a 12-4 lead at the break.

The hosts came out firing in the second half in the 53rd minute, with five-eight Thoman Peter making a cut-out pass to Joseph Kora, who assisted winger Manase Watt for a four-pointer. Jeremiah Ben did not convert the goal, with the Vipers trailing the Lahanis by 4 points (12-8).  

Following Watt’s try, the game turned physical and intense. In the 72nd minute, the opening try-scorer Joseph Kora bagged a double to equalize the points at 12-all. However, right on the stroke of full-time, the Lahanis winger Ryan Martin scored the match-winner. 

Despite being down with one player who was sin-binned in the final quarter of the gripping contest, the Bintangor-sponsored Lahanis held their resolve to upset the fourth-placed Port Moresby Vipers. 

The Lahanis fielded a young side, similar to the Vipers, with coach Michael Moses crediting the team’s impregnable defence and the leadership of experienced campaigners like Zebedee Uruba, Justin Yoka, and Josiah Jimmy, while noting that this win was crucial for the next round.

“Today (yesterday) was special to see the team blending in and getting the win, mostly because of having the experienced hands. When there is leadership, there is direction in the team, so I’m very happy,” Moses said.

“I told the players that this has to be a turning point. Last week, I told them to play for the province, but we did not get the result. I challenged them this time, emphasizing hustling and defence. I told them to focus on defence, and it really paid off.”

The Bintangor Goroka Lahanis will host the high-flying, new ladder-leading Morobe Kandes in Round 8 of the DEM Cup at the National Sports Institute (NSI) in Eastern Highlands Capital, Goroka, on Sunday, 31 May 2026.