Tumbe Thump Dabaris

The Asila Waghi Tumbe smashed the Gas Resource Central Dabaris with a 30-10 win in the opening game of the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup triple-header round 8 bonanza on Saturday, June 31st, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. 

Tumbe started their 2025 campaign strongly but lost three consecutive games. However, they found their rhythm in round 5, posting two straight wins, recording a loss, and rebounding comprehensively. After round 8, they registered 4 wins and tasted 4 losses, sitting 6th on the ladder with 8 points. 

Facing the unpredictable Central Dabaris on enemy territory was a tough task for the Tumbe, but they managed to dominate the Dabaris on their home turf, getting a much-needed win to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Dabaris struck first just under fifteen minutes of play and scored again in the following set, taking a 10-0 lead. With five minutes left before half-time, the Tumbe bagged their first 4-pointer, reducing the margin to 10-6 at the break. 

The Asila-sponsored Tumbe hit their straps running in the second half, rallying behind to score four unanswered tries and stunned the inconsistent Solomon Kuluniasi-coached Dabaris on their home soil. 

Former PNG sprint sensation-turned-coach Kupil Wisil was pleased with Waghi Tumbe’s win, saying, ”It wasn’t the way we wanted to start, but I’m happy with the win. There are lots of new boys, so we are trying to work on our combinations.”

With the winning momentum on their back, the Waghi Tumbe will fly to Rabaul to meet the ENB Agmark Gurias in round 9 of the DEM Cup at Queen Elizabeth Park on Saturday, June 7th.