Mackay Cutters hold PNG Hunters to 28 - 28 draw

The Papua New Guinea Hunters'  wining streak was stopped by determined Mackay Cutters  who held the Hunters to 28 all draw tonight at the Stadium Mackay.  

The home side dominated ball possession with good attack and defence. Josh Chudleigh got the Cutters on the score board with a first try in the 3rd minute and led 6 -0 . The Hunters replied with a try through Nickson Borana that levelled the score at 6-6 all. 

Gosh Chudleigh again dived over  on the Hunters tryline for his second try to keep the home side ahead  with 10 - 6 lead.  This lead was short-lived after Hunters halfback, Ase Bino Wabo crossed over for the Hunters to take the lead 12 - 10.  However, continuous ball turnovers from the Hunters saw the Cutters scored again right on half time to take the lead 16 - 12. 

In the second half, the Hunters started strongly both in attack and in defence. Fullback Stargroth Amean dived next to the uprights to keep the Hunters ahead by 18 - 16 lead.

The home side regrouped and sent Andy Gay to score for the Cutters and  took over the lead from the Hunters  to 22 - 18. Mathew Wrigth further extended the lead  to 28 - 16 with a try and a major upset was on the card.

However, the visitors regrouped in the last quarter of the game and sent Thompson Teteh who carried few tiring Cutters forwards to the tryline and scored. This reduced the score margin to 28 - 24 and  the Hunters were within reach. 

In the next play, a nice ball movement from the Hunters saw Adex Wera divided over for a try to square the score to 28 all. Zemmings missed the conversion and the score was levelled at 28 all. Captain Eliab shot a field goal right on full time but the ball fell short. 

Full  time score Hunters 28  Cutters 28