Hunters surge into top four

PROP Samuel Yegip unleashed several big hits and barnstorming runs as well as the opening try to help the SP PNG Hunters to a 26-14 win over hosts Mackay Cutters on Saturday.
While the round 3 Intrust Super Cup win saw the Hunters enter the top four on the competition’s standings, it came at a cost with winger Brendon Gotuno suffering a broken arm early in the first half.
The Hunters physically dominated the vaunted Cutters pack and bashed them into submission led in no small part by Yegip, who channelled his Hela Wigmen form into easily his best game for the club.
Yegip, however, faces a nervous wait as he was put on report for a dangerous tackle in the first half.
A large contingent of PNG supporters urged on the Hunters as they unleashed three tries in a 14-minute blitz in the first half to take control of the match. The victory mirrored the Hunters’ remarkable start to the year as they overcame some early setbacks to register their second win from three matches.
Gotuno, who had scored a hat-trick in round 2, came off second best trying to tackle giant winger Kane Bradley forcing coach Matt Church to slot 18-year-old half Judah Rimbu onto the right edge.
Mackay opened the scoring six minutes later with a try to centre Michael Bell after Junior Rau spilt a cross field kick in goal.
But the Hunters aggressive defence and hard running saw them make ground on a hesitant home side who felt the sting of every tackle under lights at BB Print Stadium.
A Charlie Simon inside ball saw Yegip barge his way through four Cutters defenders from 10-metres out to score under the uprights in the 13th minute.
Yegip was then subbed after a blistering opening 20 minutes and his replacement Sylvester Namo picked up where he left off with a try in the 23rd minute, which was almost a carbon copy of the first four-pointer.
Namo took a Simon inside ball and broke through four defenders to crash over right next to an upright.
Junior Rau then ensured his side would go into halftime with a handy lead when he went over on the left edge in the 27th minute.
The Cutters were first to score eight minutes after the break with the 196cm-tall Bradley diving over in the corner despite Rimbu’s best efforts.
However, the visitors were up for the grind with more brutal defence and hard running setting up tries for Watson Boas (59th) and Edwin Ipape (68th) to seal a quality win on the road for coach Church’s side.
Mackay picked up a consolation try through Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy in the 74th minute.
It’s been a brave start by the Hunters – they were unable to play any trial matches because of Covid-19 restrictions and they were forced to relocate to Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast for the season.
But they shook the life out of heavyweights Wynnum Manly (losing 20-18) in round one and then powered past Ipswich Jets (44-22) and then brutalised the Cutters Mackay to put the competition on notice.
“I was proud of the way our guys stuck to their task. We wanted to challenge them through the middle and we were able to change some angles and get some nice results,” Church said.
Gutuno is expected to miss several weeks, which should open up an opportunity for another back either Norman Brown or Joe Joshua.
The Hunters also rued some tries disallowed on the final pass that would have sent them further ahead.
“We really started to play well once we overcame those setbacks and that enabled us to take the lead,” Church said.
“The Cutters never go away – they always continue to challenge – so we had to keep playing well.
“There are no easy games in this competition.
“So we’ll get another good idea of where we’re at when we take on the Sunshine Coast next Saturday.”
The Hunters will host the Falcons at Runaway Bay in Rivalry Round.
Mackay Cutters 14 (Michael Bell, Kane Bradley, Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy tries; Ata Hingano con).
PNG Hunters 26 (Samuel Yegip, Sylvester Namo, Junior Rau, Watson Boas, Edwin Ipape tries; Charlie Simon 3 con) at BB Print Stadium, Mackay.