 The SP PNG Hunters turned on the style in Cairns on Saturday, sweeping aside Northern Pride 40-10 in a dominant Round 23 Hostplus Cup performance that keeps their finals hopes alive.
Hooker Judah Rimbu opened the scoring in the 12th minute before winger Solo Wane and skipper Ila Alu added quick tries to stun the home side. The Pride managed to hit back through Laitia Moceidreke, but when Robert Mathias powered over just before halftime, the Hunters went to the sheds with a comfortable 22-4 advantage. From there, it was all one-way traffic. Halfback Sanny Wabo stole the spotlight in the second stanza, crossing for three tries and carving up the Pride defense almost at will. His hat-trick lit up Barlow Park and put the result well beyond doubt. Roared on by a passionate Port Moresby crowd, Papua New Guinea Hunters produced a powerhouse display to defeat Western Clydesdales 48-12 in Round 20 of the Hostplus Cup at Santos National Football Stadium on Sunday, 10th August. The electric atmosphere inspired the Hunters to run in 10 tries in a commanding all-round performance. The energy from the stands was felt early, with Judah Rimbu crossing in just the second minute. The Hunters built momentum through further first-half tries from Solo Wane, Sanny Wabo, and Robert Mathias. The Clydesdales’ only response before the break came from Emry Pere, leaving the hosts ahead 16-6 at halftime.  Home Crowd Lifts PNG Hunters to Emphatic Hostplus Cup Victory [Photo by PNG Hunters]  The SP PNG Hunters are one step closer to claiming the prestigious Hostplus Cup title after defeating the Sunshine Coast Falcons 24-10 in a semi-final clash at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Australia. The win propels the Hunters into the preliminary final, where they will face the Norths Devils for a chance to secure a spot in the grand final.
The Falcons dominated the opening 20 minutes of the match, maintaining possession and pressuring the Hunters' defense. Despite their efforts, the Falcons struggled to break through the Hunters’ resilient defense, failing to gain an early lead. The SP PNG Hunters delivered a commanding performance in their Round 22 Hostplus Cup match, overpowering the Brisbane Tigers 46-24 at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. This decisive victory ensured the Hunters' place in the top eight on the ladder.
The Hunters set the pace early, with Sanny Wabo scoring a try in just the fourth minute, igniting what would become a high-scoring game. Solo Wane quickly followed with another try at the 8th minute. Ila Alu extended the lead further with a try at the 15th minute, and Brandon Nima added to the tally at the 32nd minute. Judah Rimbu was also in top form, scoring twice, once at the 35th and again at the 53rd minute, while Finley Glare crossed the line just before halftime at the 40th minute.  Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – The SP PNG Hunters delivered an impressive performance at the National Football Stadium, defeating the Tweed Heads Seagulls 42-30. The result solidifies their standing in the Hostplus Cup and highlights their strong form this season.
The Hunters' attack was spearheaded by a series of tries from several key players. Judah Rimbu kicked off the scoring with a try in the first minute, soon followed by Valentine Richard’s contribution at the 5-minute mark. Brandon Nima made a significant impact with tries at the 32nd and 69th minutes, while Sanny Wabo added two tries at the 38th and 57th minutes. Joshua Lau also made his mark with a try at the 45th minute, showcasing the Hunters' offensive strength. |
