PNG Hunters fall to Norths Devils 32 - 18

The Papua New Guinea SP Hunter succumbed to their first defeat  of the season at the hands of determined Norths Devils outfit   at the National Football Stadium on Sunday.  The Norths were boosted by several National Rugby League players including Brisbane Broncos Kodi Nikorima plying his craft at dummy half and former Parramatta Eels half-back Chris Sandow not doing much, but did pull off several deft kicks including a 40-20.

The North Devils structured attack in the first 20 minutes had the home-side reeling through stand-out props James Taylor and Brisbane Broncos Francis Molo attacking the Hunters right edge to set up the first try came just two minutes into the game.

Matiu Love-Henry pounced on a stab kick by five-eighth Nikorima for the first try.

Three minutes later Jarven White toed through a kick from Nikorima who chased it down to score their second for a 12-0 lead with the conversion.

A penalty conversion by half-back Todd Murphy at the 10th minute took the lead to 14-0 and five minutes later they were over again this time through lock Dalton Philips with a converted try to lead 20-0.

The Hunters took back some pride when vice-captain Wellington Albert coming off the bench at the 22 minute paved the way with some strong runs to allow Bland Abavu to score their first points to trail 6-20.

But just before half time, the Devils sent over center Delouise Houter to stretch the lead to 20 points (26-6).

The second half saw Hunters come back strongly, but when Sandow hanging out on the left-edge decided it was time to step in with a kick.

It was a 40-20 gem of a reliever at the 44th.

This then led to a barrage of penalties by the trigger happy Kennedy to take the visitors out of harms way at 32-6.

Abavu scored his second from a right edge play and Boas scampering over from a Watson Boas grubber to end the game with  32 - 18 scoreline.  PC/PNG Today