Hunters hammer Blackhawks

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea SP Hunters gave an assurance to their fans not to write them off for 2024 season as they returned to the winner’s circle, hammering Townsville Blackhawks 52-16 in the Hostplus Cup round eight fixture in Townsville yesterday.
Aiton’s men return to winner’s circle with 9-try haul Prior to the match, coach Paul Aiton gave his men an inspirational speech to ‘play for your brother’ in hopes of avoiding a third consecutive loss, and indeed, the Hunters produced a massive nine-try haul to move up two spots into 10th.
Aiton’s choice to start Alex Max at centre and Anthony Worot at front-row for the first time in the season proved to be the perfect option as Max starred with a hat-trick of tries while Worot scored one in the high-scoring match.
It was a seesawing first-half with both sides exchanging tries which saw Hunters led 24-16 at the break.
However, a near-perfect display in both defence and attack in the second-half by the SP Brewery-sponsored side was what destroyed the Blackhawks who dropped to 13th spot on the 15-team competition.
Hunters scored five tries in the second-half and kept Blackhawks scoreless which was one of their best statistics in the season so far, especially in an away fixture.
Worot, Whallan Tau-Loi, Judah Rimbu and Max scored a try each in the first-half while Jaelen Feeney and former North Queensland Cowboys duo Kalifa Faifai-Loa and James Tamou scored a try each for Blackhawks.
The second 40 was all Hunters as Max completed his hat-trick while Elijah Roltinga, Finley Glare and Sanny Wabo scored a try each.
Hunters halfback Jamie Mavoko had a perfect strike rate in the kicking duties as he kicked 8/8 goals. In unpleasant scenes, Mavoko had to come off the field in the last seven minutes due to head clash.
Roltinga stepped in for Mavoko and converted the Hunters’ last try scored by Wabo in the 78th minute.
Aiton’s men have a five-day turnaround time to prepare for the home clash against first-placed Northern Pride at on Saturday in Port Moresby.