Hunters kept scoreless

Sports

DESPITE putting in a solid effort in their opening Q-Cup match the SP PNG Hunters had to settle for a 10-0 loss to the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
The round one Intrust Super Cup fixture at Pigabeen Sports Complex, Tweed Heads, NSW, was a scrappy affair with neither side able to cross the line in the first half for a 0-0 scoreline.
Captain Adex Wera’s side started the second half strongly, dominating territory and possession for the opening 15 minutes but the home side were able to absorb the pressure and then got inside the Hunters’ half and took their chance with winger Ryland Jacobs crossing in the corner in the 55th mark.
Tweed five-eighth Lindon McGrady managed to convert from the sideline for the Gulls to go up 6-0.
Hunters No.6 Charlie Simon, pictured, took charge of the side’s fifth tackle plays and managed to get them into the Tweed half but play broke down as halfback William Mone struggled with his option-taking and kicking.
Tweed No.7 Ryley Jacks took an off-load close to the line to score the game’s second four-pointer in the 65th minute. McGrady missed the conversion attempt.
Simon, back-rower Junior Rop and prop Dilbert Isaac stood out for the Hunters in the last quarter as they pushed hard for points.
Hunters second-rower Ila Alu came off midway through the half after injuring his right forearm.
Tweed, who beat the Burleigh Bears in a trial before the opening round, looked the more poised side with efficient defence in their half while Jacks and McGrady looked to run down the clock by kicking to the sidelines.
The Hunters play their first home game on Sunday when they host the Pride at the National Football Stadium.
Elsewhere in the Q-Cup, Kumul Nene Macdonald scored a try in the Northern Pride’s 22-18 win over Q-Cup reigning premiers Redcliffe Dolphins while Nixon Putt scored a try for the Norths Devils as they beat 28-22 over the Bears.
Edene Gabbie and Rhadley Brawa debuted for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls who lost 26-24 to the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Tweed Heads Seagulls 10 (Ryland Jacobs, Ryley Jacks tries; Lindon McGrady con) PNG Hunters 0.
Rd 1 Results: Sat, March 9 – Easts Tigers 24 Mackay Cutters 12, Sunshine Coast Falcons 26 Wynnum Manly Seagulls 24, Northern Pride 22 Redcliffe Dolphins 18; Sun, March 10 – Ipswich Jets 6 Townsville Blackhawks 34, Tweed Heads Seagulls 10 PNG Hunters 0, Souths Logan Magpies 14Central Queensland Capras 36, Norths Devils 28 Burleigh Bears 22.