Hunters, Bears best meet

 BY PETER SEVARA Jr.

SOME of the Queensland Cup’s best in 2014 square off tomorrow on Kalabond Stadium in Kokopo.

The leading points scorer Khan Ahwang and teammate Henare Wells, of the Burleigh Bears, will be hoping their form stays true when they face home town heroes Garry Lo and Noel Zemming in their the Round 21 match tomorrow at 2.30pm.

Papua New Guinea Hunters try machine Lo has bagged 19 tries this year to lead the Q-Cup as top try-scorer. Bears fullback, Wells is close behind on 18. The competition’s leading points scorer, Khan Ahwang has 174 points from 65 goals and 11 tries.

Hunters’ utility Noel Zemming is sixth best with 112 points from six tries and 44 goals.

The Bears featuring National Rugby League players Brad Tighe and Steve Michaels will be another tough test for the Hunters who nicked a close win over the lowly Sunshine Coast Falcons last week with a crucial one-pointer in the dying minutes by captain Israel Eliab, but Hunters coach Michael Marum is not convinced.

The (Bears) are a quality side but we also have an impressive backline,” Maurm said. “We train week in week out to get out onto the field. The only issues that not only we face, but everyone else faces is the transition from getting what you learnt on the training field into the match field.”

“We are working on our attack and defensive skill which was an issue last week. Weather hasn’t been good to us this week but we managed to train early today (yesterday) and it looks like there will be rain all weekend through,” Marum said.

Captain Eliab has settled in well to his new role at fullback but had to be switched back to the halves to add spark last week. Eliab’s ability to read the play will be crucial while his cover defence will need to be very good against the slick Bears backs.

Marum agreed that Eliab despite reveling in his new role had to make his presence felt in the frontline where the action happens.

“He (Eliab) told me that he was enjoying playing fullback. He used to be a fullback before but not at this level but yes he has to give orders on the field to inspire his men to attack and defend,” Marum said.

The Hunters also made a school visit yesterday and the welcome by the 200 plus kids was an awesome sight for the boys who needed inspiration.

“It was awesome having these kids call us by our names and then chanting ‘Hunters, Hunters, Hunters’ as soon as we walked in. It was great. 

We will have these kids watching our games this Saturday” Marum said.