Hunters attack

 By MARTIN LIRI 

THE Hunters opened up their Queensland cup rugby league campaign with a spirited 26-18 win over Northern Pride in their first trial match last night in Cairns. 

It was an even contest at Barlow Park, known as “The Jungle”, with the lead changing hands throughout the match.

The Pride had seemingly restored lost pride when Blake Leary crossed at the 72nd minute to lead 18-14 and with eight minutes on the clock the feeling from enthusiastic Hunters fans would have been mixed. 

The question that remained on everyone’s mind was whether the SP Hunters had the fighting spirit – and that is exactly what they produced when they rallied to draw level at 18-18 and deliver the killer blow leaving the home side shell-shocked.

The Hunters in their predominately white away strip, were on the hunt throughout the entire match but at some stages of the match had their supporters worried. 

In a game played in slippery conditions following rains earlier during the day, the Hunters’ consecutive three penalties forced them to lose ground. The Pride capitalised on the territorial advantage to score in the corner to take a 4-0 lead just five minutes into the game.

Captain Israel Eliab levelled for 4-4 before centre Thompson Teteh crossed at the 32nd minute on the left to put the Hunters ahead 8-4.

The home side did not want their Pride hurt any further and struck back just two minutes later when centre Justin Castellaro scored, sent in by Shaun Nona, who also collected the extras. 

At half-time the Pride led 10-8. 

Hunters fullback Adex Wera eight minutes into the second stanza scored a converted try under the posts – the try coming off when Albert Patak burst the line and sent the former Goroka Lahanis over.

The Pride strike back at the 61st minute when Tyrone McCarthy scores his first ever try for his new team when he slid over in on the right edge to equalise again at 14-14. 

At the 72nd minute Blake Leary scored for a 18-14 lead.

With eight minutes remaining, it was a test of character for the PNG side’s fighting spirit and they delivered. 

The Hunters will remain in Cairns until Wednesday when they travel to Rockhampton for the next trial against Central Queensland Capras on Saturday.