Hunters competitive

By HUXLEY LOVAI
THE Brisbane Broncos saw off a determined challenge from the reigning Queensland Cup champions the PNG Hunters, as the visitors scored three unanswered tries in the second half to secure the 26-12 victory in their trial match on Saturday at the National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.
Consistent penalties against the Hunters for incorrect play-the-balls, gifted the Broncos possession which they capitalised on to punish coach Michael Marum’s side.
The Broncos score line would have been higher if not for the outstanding goal line defence of the Hunters, who repelled the Broncos on three defensive sets inside their 20m.
The Hunters held a 12-6 lead at halftime over the visitors, who found the humid conditions tough going, coupled with the bruising Hunters defence. The trial match was played in quarters.
The Broncos opened the scoring through winger Jonus Pearson, who crossed in the corner with Jordon Kahu nailing the sideline conversion.
When in possession of the ball the Hunters forwards made metres down the middle of the field with Moses Meninga, Enoch Maki and new recruit Dilbert Isaac leading the charge.
Maki scored the home side’s first points when he used his bulk to hit and turn close to the Broncos line to get the crowd on their feet.
Culminating in prop Enock Maki crashing over to score the Hunters first try, which was promptly converted by five-eighth Charlie SImon in the 25th minute.
The hunters continued to threaten the Broncos line and came up with the goods after Watson Boas regathered his own chip kick to score a coveted try to lead at halftime.
Unfortunately the Hunters momentum in the second half suffered as the penalty count continued to mount against them, giving away territory to the Broncos, who punished the Hunters in the final quarter as Korbin Sims, Jordan Kahu and Corey Oates crossed the line sealing the 14-point victory.
SP Hunters assistant coach Nigel Hukula said it was the basics that let the team down during the match.
“We need to work hard to win the ruck, that’s where we got beaten a lot and of course that elementary stuff that we will have to spend a little more time on,” Hukula said.
“Eight or so penalties for the foot not making contact with the ball when playing is unacceptable.
“The NRL is coming down strongly on this area. It’s a good reminder for us to go back to the basics and work on that stuff.
“We are where we are, we can be better. We’ll learn from playing against quality teams,” Hukula said
Broncos coach for the trial match Jason Demetriou said the Hunters gave his side a lot to think about as they trailed 12-6 at halftime.
“We spoke at half time, I don’t think we were respecting the Hunters physicality and trying to play laterally,” Demetrious said.
“We needed to aim up and play more directly, not to shy away from the physical battle. I felt when we did that, we started to get more control over the game. “Our defence was as good as I’ve seen it from a Broncos side in a long time. That give us a lot of positives going into the start of the season. But I will say this, the Hunters put us under a lot of pressure, we had to address a lot of things at half time.
“If the hunters had played the ball properly it would have made our lives a lot harder,” Demetriou said.