Round 9 of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup 2025 delivered a series of thrilling encounters across the country, showcasing intense competition and resulting in some notable shifts on the league ladder.

Despite a surprising loss, the PRK Mendi Muruks managed to retain their leading position.

The National Football Stadium hosted a captivating triple header that provided plenty of talking points:

In the opening clash, the PRK Gulf Isou secured a hard-fought 12-10 victory over the second place Lae Snax Tigers. The first half was a tight affair, locked at 6-all, before fullback Kenny Laho’s dive on the wing pushed Isou ahead 10-6 at halftime.

Isou extended their lead to 12-6 with a two-point penalty, and despite a late try from Tigers halfback Mark Alunga, which narrowed the margin to 10-12, Isou’s resolute defense held firm to clinch their third win of the 2025 season, solidifying their place in the top ten.

The second match saw the Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers overcome the Kroton Hela Wigmen 14-8.

Vipers winger Benjamin Tonny opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, putting his side up 4-0. Wigmen responded in the 23rd minute through winger Starford John, leveling the score at 4-all.

Center Siki Konden then gave the Wigmen an 8-4 lead 10 minutes before halftime with a back-to-back effort. However, in the second half, Vipers’ five-eighth Morea Morea Junior skillfully stepped his way in to score the equalizer (8-all), before captain Gilmo Paul’s crucial winning try ultimately secured the 14-8 victory for the Vipers.

The main event of the triple header featured the Gas Resource Central Dabaris facing the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, with the Lahanis emerging victorious 22-16.

The Dabaris started strong, with speedster winger Bartholomew Evi crossing early to put his side up 6-0. The Lahanis, however, quickly responded with two back-to-back tries and a two-point lead, taking a 12-6 advantage into halftime.

The Lahanis returned stronger in the second half, with five-eighth Emmanuel Michael adding another try. The Dabaris faced a setback when forward Willie Maime Bire was sent to the sin bin for a high shot.

 Despite Dabaris winger Bartholomew Evi grabbing his second try to close the margin to 10-16, the Lahanis added one more to maintain their lead. A late comeback effort from the Central Dabaris was not enough to stop the visitors from taking home the 22-16 win.

In a double header held at John Amban Oval in Minj, the NPL Enga Mioks secured a narrow 20-18 victory over the WNBPG Kimbe Cutters. In a significant upset, the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles defeated the league-leading PRK Mendi Muruks 18-12.

Meanwhile, in East New Britain, the ENB Agmark Rabaul Gurias bounced back with a convincing 16-4 win over Asila Waghi Tumbe.

Updated Ladder After Round 9:

Following these intense clashes, the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup 2025 ladder has seen some notable movements:

The PRK Mendi Muruks surprisingly lost their Round 9 match but still maintain their top position on the table. They boast an impressive record of 7 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, accumulating 15 points and a healthy positive points difference of 84.

The Lae Snax Tigers remain close contenders in second place with 6 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, also securing 13 points but with a slightly higher points difference of 104.

 The Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers also hold 13 points with an identical win-loss-draw record to the Tigers, but sit in third position due to a lower points difference of 24.

The Kroton Hela Wigmen occupy fourth spot with 5 wins and 4 losses, totaling 10 points and a positive points difference of 29. They are closely followed by the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis in fifth place, also with 10 points from 4 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, and a points difference of 25.

The ENB Agmark Rabaul Gurias also have 10 points, achieved through 5 wins and 4 losses, and sit in sixth position with a points difference of 10.

In the middle of the pack, the PRK Gulf Isou are in seventh place with 9 points (4 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw), while the Asila Waghi Tumbe are in eighth place with 8 points (4 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws).

The bottom four currently consist of the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles in ninth place with 7 points (3 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw), followed by the EPG Enga Mioks in tenth with 6 points (2 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws).

The Gas Resources Central Dabaris are in eleventh with 5 points (2 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw), and the WNBPG Kimbe Cutters occupy the twelfth position with 2 points (1 win, 8 losses, 0 draws).

Round 9 has certainly ignited the competition, and with teams vying for playoff spots, the current ladder indicates a tight and exciting season ahead for the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup 2025.