Hunters Bounce Back in Winner’s Circle on Home Soil

Following the PNG Hunters’ loss to the Townsville Blackhawks last weekend, the SP Brewery-sponsored side rebounded into winning ways after edging the Northern Pride with a 20-16 win in round 11 of the Hostplus Cup on Sunday, June 1st, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. 

The Hunters showed promising signs this season, but it’s too early to put them as front runners for the premiership trophy because there are a few quality sides like the Norths Devils and Townsville Blackhawks.

Coming at the back of a loss to the Blackhawks, the Hunters had to regroup and dig deep to defeat the visiting Northern Pride on home soil, relieving themselves and putting smiles on the faces of the cheering crowd.

Elijah Roltinga scored the first try for the Hunters in the corner after 15 minutes of arm wrestling, and Trevor Solu successfully converted the goal, giving the home side a 6-0 lead. 

With good field position, the Northern Pride finally opened their account with a four-pointer in the 34th minute through Esom Ioka, but the Hunters responded swiftly on the stroke of half-time through Alex Max, leading the contest 10-4. 

The visitors were the first to score in the second half when Kenneth Fonoti barged over the try line in the 47th minute through a gaping hole, and Seamus King-Smith nailed the extras, equalizing the points at 10-all.

In the 63rd minute, the Hunters created a broken play and sent the livewire fullback Sanny Wabo to score under the uprights, putting themselves in the front seat again. 

The Northern Pride hit back in the 70th minute through Nicholas Lenaz, locking the score at 16 points apiece, but the Hunters responded in the 75th minute through the opening try scorer Elijah Roltinga and sealed the deal.  

The Paul Aiton-coached men (Hunters) will have an advantage of hosting back-to-back games at Santos National Football Stadium when they face off the Redcliffe Dolphins in round 12 of the Hostplus Cup on Sunday, June 8th.

PC: SP PNG Hunters Media