PNG Hunters beat Northern Pride 26 - 18 in a trial match

Adex Wera dives . Photos sources: Cairnspost

The PNG Hunters have beaten Northern Pride  26 - 18 in a historical trial match in Cairns . 

Pride enjoyed the early exchange of the game dominating with 18-14 lead into the final 10 minutes of the preseason trial but were unable to hold off the spirited Hunters.

"We probably bombed a few tries and there were a few technical things we have to work on but that's expected in a trial,"  Pride coach Demetriou said.

"I think we were much better than we were last week in terms of our execution and if you look at where we were in this game last year, you'll see how far we've come."

Northern Pride were the home team but the crowd was dominated  at least in volume  by the visitors, who had come to witness the new venture's first game.

The historic tone was set before kickoff, with national anthems for both countries pre-empting the clash.

Neither side dominated the first half but both looked impressive when they were able to play to their style.

Pride scored two tries in the opening stanza, both coming after they pinned the opposition close to the tryline and forced errors.

On both occasions Shaun Nona provided final pass, picking out left centre Semi Tadulala in the fifth minute and right centre Justin Castellaro in the 38th.

The visitors responded with a fan-friendly attacking style that troubled the resolute Cairns defence. 

Five-eighth Israel Eliab scored the club's first ever try when he crossed from short range in the 24th minute, capitalising on some adventurous attack.

Four minutes later Hunters continued their dominance with left centre Thompson Teteh scoring in the corner.

The two teams went into the break 10-8  a Nona conversion the difference  but it was the Hunters who broke ahead early as powerful fullback Adex Wera sliced through from 20m out and crossed under the posts.

Pride wrestled their way back into the game through debutant Tyrone McCarthy, whose 60th minute try levelled the scores at 14 and ensured an entertaining finish.

When Nona scored in the the 71st minute the game appeared over, but PNG's vocal supporters never gave up on a comeback.

Adex Wera rewarded them with a match winner in the 75th before Eliab crossed for his second try as the final whistle sounded.

"At 18-14 you probably think we're going to win it, but we made a few errors," Demetriou said.

"But credit to the Hunters guys, they are going to be a great team for this competition."

The Pride will play a final trial against Mackay in Townsville next Saturday while  PNG will play Central Capras in Rockhampton

Source: Cairns Post