Inspirational second half sees PNG Hunters upset Seagulls
By Cameron Stallard
QRL Central correspondent/QRL Media
The Papua New Guinea Hunters have snatched a come-from-behind victory at the death to pocket their third win of the season, upsetting the Tweed Seagulls 20-16 at Oil Search National Football Stadium.
Behind 14-0 at the break, an inspirational second half performance from the Hunters kept the Seagulls try-less and at bay in the second 40, coming back to steal the two points from the visitors in the final five minutes.
Hampered by a number of injuries, including to dynamic fullback Talor Walters, Tweed stunned the Hunters in the opening minutes with Cheyne Whitelaw scoring in the second minute.
The Seagulls were in again four minutes later when Treymain Spry crossed to make it 12-0.
A further two points were added to the tally when Lindon McGrady kicked a penalty goal to extend the lead to 14-0.
At halftime, the Hunters needed something special to comeback from the deficit, and Moses Meninga delivered in the 44th minute.
The home side followed with another four-pointer in the 52nd minute to Rau Junior Kobale, tightening the margin to just six points.
Another McGrady penalty goal widened the buffer to two scores with 20 minutes remaining, but the Hunters had the ascendancy.
With their passionate rugby league-loving fans behind them, they crossed again with recently-announced Kumuls debutant Terry Wapi bagging a four-pointer to get within two points of the Seagulls.
With five to play and the Seagulls bravely holding on, PNG's Brandon Nima found the try line to complete the comeback, with Nick Hasu converting the final points of the game to make it 20-16 at fulltime.
The win is the Hunters' third this season and their second at home, after knocking off Souths Logan earlier this year.
They'll now face the Pride at Barlow Park in a fortnight's time with the Round 15 clash to be broadcast on Channel 9.
For Tweed, the week off will help with the recovery of any niggling injuries before lining up against the fourth-placed Blackhawks in Townsville on June 29.
QRL Media /Photo by QRL Media
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QRL Central correspondent/QRL Media
The Papua New Guinea Hunters have snatched a come-from-behind victory at the death to pocket their third win of the season, upsetting the Tweed Seagulls 20-16 at Oil Search National Football Stadium.
Hampered by a number of injuries, including to dynamic fullback Talor Walters, Tweed stunned the Hunters in the opening minutes with Cheyne Whitelaw scoring in the second minute.
The Seagulls were in again four minutes later when Treymain Spry crossed to make it 12-0.
A further two points were added to the tally when Lindon McGrady kicked a penalty goal to extend the lead to 14-0.
At halftime, the Hunters needed something special to comeback from the deficit, and Moses Meninga delivered in the 44th minute.
The home side followed with another four-pointer in the 52nd minute to Rau Junior Kobale, tightening the margin to just six points.
Another McGrady penalty goal widened the buffer to two scores with 20 minutes remaining, but the Hunters had the ascendancy.
With their passionate rugby league-loving fans behind them, they crossed again with recently-announced Kumuls debutant Terry Wapi bagging a four-pointer to get within two points of the Seagulls.
With five to play and the Seagulls bravely holding on, PNG's Brandon Nima found the try line to complete the comeback, with Nick Hasu converting the final points of the game to make it 20-16 at fulltime.
The win is the Hunters' third this season and their second at home, after knocking off Souths Logan earlier this year.
They'll now face the Pride at Barlow Park in a fortnight's time with the Round 15 clash to be broadcast on Channel 9.
For Tweed, the week off will help with the recovery of any niggling injuries before lining up against the fourth-placed Blackhawks in Townsville on June 29.
QRL Media /Photo by QRL Media
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