U18s beat PNG Aussies

 THE PNG Rugby League Foundation Under-18s extended their winning streak to three without loss last night with a 36-14 win over the Queensland PNG U18s. 

In front of a good sized crowd at Langlands Oval, PNG had their work cut in the form of a well-drilled and tenacious opposition. 

However, the PNG boys quickly went to work and scored the first try within five minutes after kick-off but their Queensland counterparts responded in like fashion with a try of their own and had the score board locked up at 6-6. 

With strong runs and brutal defence led up front by Wellington Albert (pictured left), the PNG schoolboys started creating in-roads around the ruck through hooker Gahuna Silas and impressive tries from Patrick Inapero, Albert and Himson Lavu resulted. 

Despite that onslaught, the the homeside mustered up and bounced back with a try in the 36th minute which saw the scoreboard read 24-6 at half time. 

After the break, the Australia-based Papua New Guineans got on the front foot with two great tries to cut the lead back to 10 points at 24-14. 

From then on, PNG quickly got back on track and scored another two converted tries, one of which was a scintillating individual effort from fullback Inapero (pictured right). 

That extended the lead to 36-14. The PNG U18s muscled up in defence and held the Queenslanders scoreless in the last quarter to come away with another impressive win.  

In the earlier match between the PNG U16s and Queensland PNG U16s, PNG went down fighting to a better organised and disciplined opponent 24-10. 

The man-of-the-match awards  from the touring party saw PNG Gahuna pick up the award for the senior side while Wemin Mockley Bani collected the award for his efforts in the U16 game. 

The matches played against the Queensland PNG schoolboys was organised by Tom Adamson and the Queensland-PNG Rugby League Incorporated. 

The PNG RLF U16s and U18s next face the Redcliffe Dolphins before heading home on tomorrow.