Northern Pride beat PNG Hunters 36 - 18

The Northern Pride hold off strong finishing SP Hunters 36 - 18 in the round 18 Intrust Super Cup match. The Hunters were held scoreless in the first half.  Too many errors, penalties and missed tackles for the Hunters were the main factors in their dismal performance against the competition leaders.

Pride registered three quick tries in the first ten minutes and lead 18 - 0 in the first half. Hunters scored on the 35th minute to reduce the deficit to 18 - 6 at half time. In the second half, Pride were first to open the scoring in the 51stth minute when some good shift in the play from right to left opened up space for fullback Hezron Murgha to score.

The Hunters worked up some momentum and in the 64th minute, good play from Roker Laka to draw in the Pride defence allowed Garry Lo to cross over to score.

But Lo wasn’t done yet as a break from Israel Eliab straight from the restart put Lo flying in once again to grab his third for the game.

Several plays later, Lo carried two defenders over the line to score on his wing again with 13 minutes remaining.  Noel Zemming was not at his kicking best being able to only convert one out of the four tries from Lo.

The final ten minutes were a real test for the Pride as they worked to weather the storm to hold off the Hunters surge to steal victory.

But the  game was sealed with three minutes remaining when a scoot out of dummy half sent Blake Leary over to score his second and ultimately seal the win for Pride.