The PNG Hunters just managed to keep their unbeaten run against the Souths Logan Magpies intact yesterday with a close 22-20 win at Davies Park.
In a thrilling and evenly-contested match – the Magpies had the chance to level the scores after the fulltime siren with Scott Doyle lining up a conversion kick, only for it to be waved away.
The PNG side are now up 7-0 in the head-to-head; but this was a game were a draw would have been a fitting results given the effort of the two sides who scored four tries apiece.
The Hunters opened the scoring in the 13th minute with fullback Stargroth Amean stepping his way through defenders to post his side’s first try.
The opening came after the Hunters were able to put some continued early pressure on the Souths Magpies line.
The Magpies hit back when their fullback Jamayne Isaako was able to cross the line.
Both sides posted one more try each in the half, with the Hunters taking a 12-10 lead at halftime with co-captain Ase Boas slotting two from two conversion attempts in the first half.
The second half was another closely contented battle, within neither side able to break free of their opponent.
However, some rampaging runs from Willie Minoga (who coach Michael Marum has now fashioned into a powerful centre) proved decisive.
Difficult to tackle and possessing a deceptive speed for a large player, Minoga ran in the next to tries for the visitors to put them out to a 22-10 lead.
That proved to be just enough, despite the Magpies mounting their spirited comeback, with Cameron Booth scoring the key try in the right wing after taking a pin-point kick from half Matt Minto.
This weekend, the Magpies will have to put aside their disappointment when they travel to the Gold Coast to take on Burleigh, while the Hunters are back at home and will host Norths Devils.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game via QRL Live
PNG HUNTERS 22 (Willie Minoga 2, Stargroth Amean, Wawa Paul tries; Ase Boas 3 goals) def SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 20 (Jamayne Isaako, Matthew Minto, Scott Doyle, Cameron Booth tries; Scott Doyle 2 goals) at Davies Park.
