Muruks snap Vipers unbeaten streak

The PRK Mendi Muruks upset the undefeated Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers with a gritty 12-10 win in round 5 of the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup on Sunday, 10 May 2026, at Santos National Football Stadium.

This was a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash that lived up to expectations and went down to the wire, with the Muruks handing the competition leaders (Vipers) their first loss of the season.

After 35 minutes of physical contest, the Muruks broke the deadlock through center Lega Batia to lead 6-0. However, the Vipers quickly responded on the stroke of half-time, with fullback Jeremiah Ben equalizing the points on 6-all at the interval. 

The intensity continued in the second half. In the 17th minute, interchange forward Emmanuel Balio made a rampaging run outside the 10-meter line and barged his way under the uprights, putting the Muruks in front with a 12-6 lead.

Six minutes later, the Vipers returned the favor, with center Martin Yanda showing brute strength and carrying a couple of Muruks’ defenders to the try line. However, half-back Ben Fege failed to convert the try, with the Muruks securing a 2-point win. 

Five-eight Jacky Winas played a pivotal role in the Muruks’ hard-fought victory over the Port Moresby-based team. The ‘Little General’ walked away with the Man-of-the-Match performance and helped the Muruks improve their ranking to the 3rd spot with 8 points.

Winas said he was happy with the result. Still, he admitted that there’s more work to be done, especially his combination with the spine, comprising half-back Francis Sam, dummy-half Robert Gigmai Jnr, and fullback Dickson Pipi.  

The PRK-backed Mendi Muruks will host the Gas Resource Central Dabaris in round 6 of the DEM Cup on Sunday, May 17th, at Lae League Ground in Lae, Morobe Province.