Hunters advance to top 6

Sports

THE SP PNG Hunters moved into the top six with a gutsy 18-6 win over the Souths Logan Magpies in Brisbane yesterday.
The win makes it five from five at Davies Park for coach Michael Marum’s men but more importantly sets up the remaining three fixtures with the Hunters set to play the Tweed Heads Seagulls away next week followed by the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Port Moresby and then ending the regular season against the last-placed Central Queensland Capras in Rockhampton.
Yesterday’s round 21 clash saw both sides put in committed efforts but it was the visitors’ defence that stood out with the Hunters taking a 12-0 lead into halftime thanks to winger Junior Rau, pictured, who crossed in the 12th minute, and then reserve hooker Charlie Simon, who burrowed over from close range in the 35th minute.
Captain and five-eighth Ase Boas kicked a conversion and a penalty to see the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored side head to the sheds with their confidence up.
The Magpies certainly had their opportunities dominating the territory and possession in the second half but a superb defensive effort by the defending champions ensured that coach Jon Buchana’s side could only go over once via a 57th minute try to prop George Fai.
Ase Boas kept the Hunters ahead by kicking three second half penalties at crucial moments in the stanza — 44th, 60th and 76th minutes — and proving that despite not having secured their finals spot with three rounds remaining the Hunters were already playing tough, gritty playoff style football.
Meanwhile, lock Stanton Albert and utility Simon were put on report for a dangerous throw on Magpies No.6 Guy Hamilton, but aside from that indiscretion the pair had solid outings particularly Simon, who has proven a dangerous proposition close to the line out of dummy half.
Back-rower Nixon Put and bench forward Dilbert Isaac added extra starch to the Hunters defence pulling off several telling hits and strong carries. In the back line, winger Rau, who scored the opening four-pointer was hard to handle making close to 100 run metres with a fumble in-goal on a certain four-pointer the only blemish on his record.
Souths Logan Magpies 6 (George Fai try; Guy Hamilton con) PNG Hunters 18 (Junior Rau, Charlie Simon tries; Ase Boas con, 4 pen) at Davies Park, Brisbane. H/T: 12-0 (Hunters).
Rd 21 Results: Sat, Aug 4 – Norths Devils 27 Townsville Blackhawks 24, Ipswich Jets 32 Sunshine Coast Falcons 28, Northern Pride 38 CQ Capras 10, Easts Tigers 30 Tweed Heads Seagulls 22, Redcliffe Dolphins 16 Mackay Cutters 16; Sun, Aug 5 – Burleigh Bears 26 Wynnum Manly Seagulls 12, Souths Logan Magpies 6 PNG Hunters 18.
Standings: Blackhawks 30, Dolphins 29, Bears 28, Pride 26, Tigers 24, Hunters 24, Devils 24, Falcons 22, Jets 22, Magpies 20, TH Seagulls 20, WM Seagulls 18, Capras 12, Cutters 9.