Lahanis escape upset

The Bintangor Goroka Lahanis held off the fast-finishing PRK Gulf Isou to a 26-24 victory in Round 14 of the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

It was a game of two halves. The Lahanis dominated the first half, while Isou controlled the match in the second half, capping off the high try-scoring contest in a grandstand finish. 

The Lahanis ran rings around the hapless Isou and put them to sleep in the first half. Dummy-half Fitler Omena opened the floodgates, followed by a try each to Josiah Jimmy, Otto Thomas, and Hercules Kondo, with the visitors taking a 22-0 lead at the interval.

However, the PRK-backed Isou found their groove in the second stanza. Danny Brooks broke the deadlock, and Adam Joe scored again, narrowing the margin to 22-12.

Moments later, Lahanis’ Fitler Omena crossed over the line for his second try, and Isou returned the favor with consecutive tries through Philip Singoina and Jack Peter. 

The Gulf men produced a herculean effort in the second half and almost stole the win from the Eastern Highlanders, going down with a 24-26 scoreline. 

Goroka Lahanis coach Michael Moses commended the PRK Gulf Isou for delivering a spirited fight and crediting his men for getting the job done in enemy territory.

“Firstly, I would like to thank the Gulf Isou. They played really well today. They won the second half, but we bounced back with a win after a heartbreaking loss to the Mt Hagen Eagles,” he said. 

Coach Moses admitted that the high-flying Lahanis failed to maintain their momentum in the second half, but said he was happy to get the 2 competition points, improving their position on the ladder to the 7th spot with 15 points.

The rejuvenated Bintangor Goroka Lahanis will host the Lae Snax Tigers in Round 15 of the DEM Cup on Saturday, July 25th, at the National Sports Institute (NSI) in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.