PNG Hunters down East Tigers 38 - 8

The SP Papua New Guinea Hunters thrashed East Tigers  38 - 8 in round 20 of the Intrust Super Cup match played at the National Football stadium in Port Moresby this afternoon. In the first half, the Hunters ran in five unanswered tries to take the 30-0 lead.  The match was played  in  front of more than 10 000 crowd.

The Hunters opened the score board through center Justin Olam. Ase Boas converted the try to take the lead 6 - 0. In the next play,  the Hunters ran in their second try straight from the restart when Thompson Teteh scored out wide. Teteh wasn't done yet, grabbing his second for the game just 9 minutes later and the Hunters led 18 - 0.

The home side further extended the lead after  halfback Wartovo Puara Jnr threw an inside ball to a forward Brandy Peter, who then gave it to Warren Glare to dive under the posts to score the Hunters’ fourth try.

Reserved hooker  Gahuna Silas scored again from the Hunters. Ase Boas converted 5 from 5 right on half time to take the lead 30 - 0.


In the second half, the Hunters  were first to score through fullback Bland Abavu  but Boas missed the uprights and the Hunters lead 34 -0 .

The Tigers muscled up in defence, determined not to leak any more points.

This allowed them to dominate possession midway through the game.

It took over an hour but the Tigers were finally rewarded with a try in the 62nd minute when Dane Chang crashed over on the wing.

The Tigers found success on the same wing 6 minutes later, this time through Jeremy Hawkings.

The Hunters didn't want to let the home crowd down and finished off in style with a try to Justin Olam, which was his second of the day.

Halfback Wartovo Puara Jnr was announced man of the match.

The Hunters will meet defending Champions Ipswich Jets next Saturday at the National Football stadium.