Gurias break eleven-year premiership drought

The ENB Agmark Gurias ended their eleven-year title drought to secure the 2026 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup after defeating the PRK Mendi Muruks 26-14 on Sunday, September 13th, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

Gurias won the DEM Cup (then known as the Digicel Cup) in 2015 after beating the TNA Simbu Lions by a 26-18 margin. Since then, the club has not tasted another premiership, though it has consistently featured in the finals. However, the 11-year drought has been broken.  

Muruks and Gurias were rivals in the 1990s. In their first grand final encounter in 1996, the Muruks walked away with the title and defended it in 2007. The Gurias took revenge in 2012 and retained their crown in 2026. 

With no love lost between these two sides, the grand final kicked off to a fiery start and finished in a bruising contest. The East New Britain men produced a defensive resolve in the second half to shatter the red-hot Muruks.

It was a seesawing affair in the first half. The Gurias opened the scoring through Chris Benjamin. Mark Alunga failed the conversion, leaving the score at 4-0. 

The Muruks responded with back-to-back tries through Victor Ario Jr and Jamie Puk. Francis Sam missed both kicks, leading the Gurias with 8-4.

The eventual champions returned the favor, with centre William Tirang crossing over the line. Alunga converted the goal to put the Gurias in front with a 10-8 lead.

Six minutes remaining before halftime, no-nonsense back-rower Dou Tapako answered back with a four-pointer under the uprights. Jacky Winas added the extras, with the Muruks leading the contest 14-10.

At the resumption, the Agmark-sponsored side dominated the proceedings and put the Southern Highlanders to sleep. Player of the match Emmanuel Alfred controlled the traffic, scoring two tries before Gabriel Silik put the game beyond doubt.

Coach Wartovo Puara Jnr was relieved with the result, expressing joy to snap the club’s 11-year premiership hoodoo.

“It’s been a long time coming. Eleven years is too long. It’s really good to get the trophy. We will take it back to the east (East New Britain), and hopefully, we can keep it next year,” he said.

The coach admitted they started poorly in the first half, but regrouped in the second stanza with a polished performance to keep the Muruks scoreless.

“I think we made a lot of errors in the first half. We went back in the second half, and I told the boys to complete our sets well, and that’s what they did. I’m really proud of the boys," Puara Jnr said.

Gurias won their first premiership without the franchise owner, the late John Nightingale, affectionately known as “Papa Guria” - with coach Puara Jnr dedicating the victory to him.

“This one makes it more special, winning the first premiership without Papa Guria. He has been there for all of us. He has been a father figure to all of us. This one is for him. I know he is going to be happy up there,” Puara Jnr commented.  

Coach Puara Jnr thanked the major sponsor, Ngip Agmark Limited, and the minor sponsors, including the coaching staff, team management, Governor Michael Marum, East New Britain Provincial Government, and the fans for their support.

“I want to thank the coaching staff, trainers, medical staff, team manager, chairman Steven Nightingale, Governor Michael Marum, and the fans for their continued support. They have been very supportive and helpful to the club and me,” he said.

Established in 1991 under the name Nationair Gurias, the club won seven premierships and remained the most successful franchise in Papua New Guinea’s domestic semi-professional competition.