SP PNG Hunters Triumph Over Burleigh Bears in ANZAC Day Thriller
The SP PNG Hunters secured a hard-fought 22-14 victory over the Burleigh Bears in the ANZAC Day Hostplus Match, held at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. The Round 7 clash, played on Saturday, showcased the Hunters' resilience and attacking prowess in front of a passionate home crowd.
The Hunters started strongly, with Gairo Voro crossing the line in the 3rd minute, followed by a successful conversion from Trevor Solu. Solo Wane extended the lead in the 19th minute with a try, putting the Hunters ahead 10-0 at halftime. The Bears struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, compounded by a sin-bin to Guy Hamilton in the 19th minute for a professional foul.
Early in the second half, the Bears fought back with a try from Lachlan West in the 47th minute, narrowing the gap. However, the Hunters responded decisively, with Robert Mathias scoring two tries in quick succession in the 53rd and 63rd minutes. Jamie Mavoko converted both, further solidifying the Hunters' lead at 22-4.
The Bears showed determination late in the game, with Jacob McCudden scoring in the 69th minute, followed by a conversion from Guy Hamilton. Lachlan West added his second try in the 77th minute, but the Bears could not close the gap, as the Hunters' defense held firm.
Discipline issues marked the closing stages, with Hunters' Ila Alu sin-binned in the 79th minute for a high tackle. Despite this, the Hunters maintained their composure to secure the win, finishing the match with a 22-14 scoreline.
The Hunters' attacking flair was evident through their four tries, with Robert Mathias earning praise for his brace. Gairo Voro and Solo Wane also contributed significantly to the scoreboard, while Jamie Mavoko's conversions proved crucial.
For the Bears, Lachlan West was a standout, scoring twice, but their early deficit and lack of cohesion in the first half proved costly. Jacob McCudden's try offered some hope, but the team could not overcome the Hunters' dominant performance.
Overall, the SP PNG Hunters scored four tries (Gairo Voro, Solo Wane, Robert Mathias twice) and kicked three conversions, while the Burleigh Bears managed three tries (two by Lachlan West and one by Jacob McCudden) and one conversion, sealing the final score at 22-14 in favour of the Hunters.
The victory strengthens the SP PNG Hunters' position in the Hostplus Cup standings, boosting morale as they continue their campaign. The Burleigh Bears, meanwhile, will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture, aiming to address their slow starts and capitalize on late momentum.
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