Sanny Wabo Stars in SP PNG Hunters' Thrilling Win Over Seagulls
Papua New Guinea’s SP Hunters have claimed a hard-fought 26-20 victory over the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round 5 of the Hostplus Cup at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. The Hunters, led by a standout performance from Sanny Wabo, dominated the first half and withstood a fierce second-half comeback from the Seagulls to secure the win.
The match began with an early blow as Tweed Heads’ Phoenix Steinwede crossed the line in just the 2nd minute, giving the home side an early lead. However, the SP Hunters responded swiftly with back-to-back tries from Solo Wane in the 15th minute and Sanny Wabo in the 18th minute, shifting momentum in their favor.
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| Sanny Wabo Stars in SP PNG Hunters' Thrilling Win Over Seagulls [Photo credit : SP PNG Hunters] |
Murray Connors extended the Hunters’ advantage with another try in the 26th minute, while Jamie Mavoko successfully converted two of the three first-half tries. This effort took the Hunters into halftime with a commanding 16-4 lead.
The Seagulls attempted to claw their way back into the contest early in the second half, with Jay Kirk scoring in the 44th minute. But Sanny Wabo continued his stellar performance, completing a hat-trick with tries in the 47th and 68th minutes. Mavoko added another conversion in the 70th minute, bringing his total to three successful conversions from five attempts.
Despite trailing, the Seagulls refused to give up, mounting a late surge with tries from Zane Harrison in the 57th minute and JJ Collins in the 74th minute. Lindon McGrady converted both efforts, narrowing the gap to just six points at 26-20. However, the Hunters’ defense held firm in the dying moments, repelling the Seagulls’ pressure to seal the victory.
Sanny Wabo emerged as the star of the match, scoring three crucial tries and making significant contributions in both attack and defense. His hat-trick was instrumental in keeping the Hunters ahead during a tense second half.
The Hunters’ resilience under pressure proved decisive, as they absorbed repeated attacks from the Seagulls to secure their second win of the season. The final scoreline read SP Hunters 26, Tweed Heads Seagulls 20.
This victory marks a pivotal moment for the Hunters as they look to build momentum heading into their next challenge in the Hostplus Cup. With performances like this, the team aims to climb further up the competition ladder and continue their push toward success.
Full time : SP PNG Hunters 26 beat Tweed Heads Seagulls 20
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