Benny Kapipi’s Late try inspires Mendi Two to beat Lagatois 10 – 8 at the packed Joe Keviame Oval in the second match of the Hope Cup Challenge
The game kicked off in high intensity with the bigger Lagatois pack dominating the middle. Three penalties in succession to the Lagatois took them deep into the Mendi territory. Kazuma Hidaka took a shot at goal in the next penalty and they led 2 nil. That lead didn’t last long..
In the first attacking opportunity, Mendi had in the first halve they converted into points. Albert Sokpe darted out of dummy halve, cut out two decoy runners and found centre Joel Sonk, who stepped past Lagatois folding defense and scored.
The Lagatois pack took control again and at the stroke of Half time they scored through impressive centre Raho Goada and took the lead 8-6
Led by the late Kato’s elder brother Opao Ottio the Lagatois held on to their 4 points lead and fought tooth and nails in the second half. Both teams missed out on scoring opportunities as the clock counted down.
But in the final minute, interchange front rower for Mendi Two Benny Kapipi slicked through the Lagatois middle and scored the match winner…
