PNG fight back to topple Mackay
By QRL Media
The PNG Hunters overcame a poor start to go on and record their first win in Mackay on Saturday night with a 34-20 result over the Cutters.
As they have in a number of their previous games this season; the Cutters got off to an ideal start and played a great first half of football to get out to an early lead, with centre Johnny Faletagoa’i finding a gap in the PNG defensive line to cross in the fourth minute.
The Hunters responded soon after when five-eighth Watson Boas capitalised on some good lead-up work from impressive fullback Stargroth Amean, before the home side retook the lead with a classic hooker's try from Andy Gay darting over the line.
Howard Brown’s follow-up moments later had the Cutters celebrating a 16-6 lead – but they let their opposition back into the game just before the break when big Enock Maki went over underneath the posts to narrow the halftime lead to 16-12.
In the second half, the Hunters quickly took the opportunity to firstly claw their way back into the lead with Wartovo Puara in the number 7 for this game going over in the opening minutes, before eventually taking it away from them with tries to Ishamel Baikawa, a second to Boas and Adex Wera to seal the match.
Next weekend, the Hunters will be at home hosting the ladder-leading Townsville Blackhawks while the Cutters will again be in Mackay to host the Norths Devils.
Head to QRL Live for the final team line-ups for this match
PNG HUNTERS 34 (Watson Boas 2, Wartovo Puara, Ishamel Baikawa, Enock Maki, Adex Wera tries; Noel Zeming 5 goals) def MACKAY CUTTERS 20 (Howard Brown, Andrew Gay, Johnny Faletagoa’i, Brenden Treston tries; Liam Taylor 2 goals) at BB Print Stadium, Mackay.
Read the Round 5 match reports:
Pride break Ipswich hoodoo
Phins win emotional derby v Falcons
Bears defence earns win v Devils
Unlikely field goal pips Wynnum
Walters inspires Easts win over Capras
Blackhawks continue dominance over Tweed
