PNG Hunters down Townville Blackhawks 11 – 10

The SP Papua New Guinea Hunters have defeated competition leaders Townsville Blackhawks 11 – 10  in a tightly contested game at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby this afternoon.  Hunters playmaker Ase Boas kicked the winning  field goal  right on full time.

In the first quarter of the game, both teams exchange huge hits in a physical game. The Hunters opened the score board through the enforcer, Adam Korave. Captain  Zeming  sent the ball between the uprights to put the home side in front 6 – 0. 

The visitors muscled up and sent former Kumul  Rhys Martin to score next to the uprights. Mitchel converted the try and leveled the score 6 – 6 all. 

Former Hunter, Willie Minoga bulldozed through the Hunters defence line to score for the visitors . The conversion was successful and the visitors led 10 – 6 at half time. 

In the second half, the game intensified with big hits but riddled with dropped balls as both teams showed strength in defence and attack.  The Hunters kept the visitors scoreless in the second half.  On the 65th minute, Hunters winger  Justin Olam crashed over the corner that sent the 10 000 plus crowd into rapture. Zeming strayed the ball away and the score was leveled 10  - 10 all.

In the final 10 minutes, the visitors muscled up and threw everything and attacked the Hunters line but the Hunters held on with solid defence. An attempted field goal by Blackhawks hooker did not find the uprights and the Hunters got possession of the ball. 

In the next play, the Hunters forwards  ran hard and  strong and took the ball to the visitors territory. Play maker, Ase Boas sent the ball between the posts for a field goal that showed first defeat for  the Townsville Blackhawks. The Hunters won  11 – 10