Hunters ground Jets, ending losing streak

The SP PNG Hunters bounced back into the winner’s circle after triumphing over Ipswich Jets with a gritty 26-24 victory in round 6 of the Queensland Hostplus Cup on Saturday, 18 April 2026, at Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.

Sitting second last on the ladder with one win and four losses, this was a must-win game for the Hunters, who desperately rose to the challenge and stopped their losing streak, as well as upset the ladder leaders on home soil.

Losing two straight home games in rounds 1 and 2, including 2 away games, was a bitter pill to swallow for the SP Brewery-backed club. They took a downward spiral in the last 4 rounds, but managed to rebound in winning ways in round 6. 

Learning their lesson the hard way, the Hunters did a soul-searching and came prepared in round 6, quickly scoring 2 tries through Benji Kot in the 4th minute and Trevor Solu in the 8th minute, shocking the Jets with a 10-0 lead. 

However, the competition leaders (Jets) held their nerve, swinging the momentum in the ensuing sets, registering 3 tries through Rashaun Denny, Tonny Francis, Ioane Seiuli, and leading the Hunters with an 18-10 margin at the interval. 

At the resumption, the home side wasted no time and scored back-to-back tries, sending hat-trick hero Bruce Bawase over the line in the 47th minute and 61st minute, and leapfrogging the Jets 20-18.

Five minutes later, the Jets responded through Corey Ross, retaking the lead at 24-20. Undeterred by the lead, the desperate Hunters outfit mounted a fight back in the 73rd minute, with Bawase bagging his third try and sealing the deal 26-24. 

Coach Paul Aiton was pleased with the performance, attributing the win to their preparation and trust in the playing group, which produced the result they had been searching for in the last four weeks. 

“It was a great footy to watch. We’ve been talking about completions the whole week. We had an inner belief within ourselves. I know it’s only the start of the season, but it is really good to see the boys stick to it and have faith in that, and it showed today,” he said. 

Skipper Ila Alu echoed coach Aiton’s sentiments: “It was about having faith in the process and how we play, both in attack and defense. We know that if we stick to the process, we can win any game. Today showed that having faith in the process got us to the end.”

The win was dedicated to PNG mothers and young girls, celebrating the theme “Anti-Violence Round” in style and putting the Paul Aiton-coached men in a good position ahead of the coming rounds. 

Riding on the back of the much-needed win, the PNG Hunters will travel to Australia to square off with the 5th placed Burleigh Bears in round 7 of the Hostplus Cup on Saturday, April 25th, at Uaa Park, Gold Coast. 

Photo: SP PNG HUNTERS