The Norths Devils continued their impressive run of recent form by downing the PNG Hunters 24-8 at Bishop Park earlier this evening.
The home side put in a strong defensive effort to restrict the Hunters to one try in the match while running in four of their own.
As he invariably is when the Devils post a win – half Todd Murphy was instrumental – setting up tries and also scoring the first to set his side on the path to victory.
The Hunters however had earlier scored the first points of the game with a penalty kick from Noel Zeming within the opening five minutes of the match.
However from there – the Devils were able to heap the pressure on the visitors, with Murphy swivelling over near the uprights following a great offload from prop Francis Molo.
They were nearly over again soon after when Murphy made a massive break down the right side – only for Harry Pondekas to drop the pass with the line beckoning.
Their next points came soon enough however, with Murphy again the catalyst – his pin-point kick to the left corner was collected by centre Luke Pollack who scored his side’s second try.
A late penalty goal – slotted by Murphy – gave the Devils a 14-2 lead at halftime.
The Hunters – who for most of the first half had resorted to more conventional one-out runs – added some attacking flair to start the second and were instantly rewarded.
A Bland Abavu tap-back from a Watson Boas kick found the arms of Adex Wera who charged through to score what was to be the Hunters only try of the match.
Zeming’s conversion brought the Hunters to within 14-8; but that was to be the end of their point scoring for the afternoon.
With the try-scoring proving much more difficult against a more committed Hunters side in the second half, the Devils kicked another penalty go out beyond a converted try.
However, with 10 to go in the match – the Devils shook off the visitors with two tries, with firstly Jarrod Dodd down the left side and then Matiu Love-Henry showing strength to go over – thanks to a great run for Jayden Berrell.
Next week – the Devils will host the Tigers in the Channel 9 match, while the Hunters will travel to Piggabeen to take on Tweed Heads.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game via QRL Live
NORTHS DEVILS 24 (Todd Murphy, Luke Pollock, Jarryd Dodd, Matiu Love-Henry tries; Todd Murphy 4 goals) def PNG HUNTERS 8 (Adex Wera try; Noel Zeming 2 goals) at Bishop Park.
