RUBGY league-starved fans in Port Moresby flocked to the new Sir John Guise Stadium to witness the first Queensland Cup match played in the PNG capital at night, and went home satisfied with the PNG Hunters’ 34-12 victory over the Souths Logan Magpies.
People from all over the city began crowding the stadium as early as 4 in the afternoon, many impressed with the 15,000 capacity stadium. The roads outside the stadium had a constant stream of people when the game started, with well organised security from the police and security firms. Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko described the game before kick-off as an historical event and a night for many to treasure for the rest of their lives and the beginning of a sporting revolution in the country. For the visiting Magpies, it was said to be their first time to play in front of a crowd of 15,000, and their captain Phil Dennis revealed after the game that they were prepared to “expect the unexpected”, but thanked the Hunters and the people of PNG for hosting a successful clash. A shaky start in the 4th minute saw Magpies and Kumul fullback Josh Damen become the first player to score a try at the stadium. Damen followed a bomb from halfback Ashley Taylor and Jack Joass made no mistake adding the extras for an early 6-0 lead which hushed the home crowd. Repeated handling errors by the Hunters gave the Magpies good field position and they made use of it with scoring their second try through second rower Joe Boyce, who stormed over under the uprights from close range for a 12-0 lead after 20 minutes. Four minutes later, Willie Minoga brought the crowd to their feet after taking an inside ball from hooker Wartovo Puara Jr off a penalty tap 10m out. The man they call the “freight train” bustled his way through the defence and reached out to plant the ball over the line, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Centre Noel Zeming had no trouble converting the try for the Hunters to trail 12-6. The Hunters capped off a first half with a try to half back Ase Boas, who showed a clean pair of heels to scorch down the right flank after backing up a cut-out pass from Puara. The halftime score was 12-10 in favour of the Magpies. After the break, it was the Hunters captain Israel Eliab, who got his side into the lead for the first time with a try in the 44th minute – 16 -12. Five minutes later, Puara found a hole in the Magpies defence down the right edge again dashing off from half way finding winger Adex Wera in support, who sprinted 35m to score a converted try under the uprights extending their lead 22-12. The middle of the second half saw some aggressive play from both sides resulting in Hunters second-rower Kato Ottio limping of the field and lock forward Adam Korave put on report. As the brutal second half continued, an individual effort from centre Thompson Teteh got the home crowd cheering again with a 64th minute try converted try extending the lead to 28-12. A scoreless second half for the visitors, kept the noisy crowd entertained till the dying minutes, which saw Ase Boas putting the icing on the cake with his second of the night in the 79th minute, and the siren sounded just after Zeming added the extras. The win sees Michael Marum’s side maintain their fourth spot on the Queensland Cup ladder after 14 Rounds. Townsville, Wynnum-Manly and Ipswich occupy the top three places in that order. Marum and Eliab thanked the sponsors, organisers and fans for turning up to watch the historical match. The Hunters take on the Tweed Heads Seagulls next Sunday. The National Comments are closed.
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