Michael Marum celebrated his 100th game as the coach of the PNG Hunters with a win as the Intrust Super Cup defending champions defeated the Ipswich Jets 22-12 in their Round 1 clash.
The home team were the first to score at the National Football Stadium via star halfback Watson Boas who stepped past defenders to score just six minutes into the game.
The Jets were their own worst enemies, committing handling errors which gave the Hunters plenty of attacking opportunities.
The home side capitalised on these as much as possible, and they scored again through stand-in fullback Adex Wera, who collected an offload to sprint 20m to score.
Ase Boas converted the try and his side led 12-0.
The Jets soon responded and scored through debutant centre Pio Seci, who picked up a loose ball to score in the corner. Wes Conlon converted the try to reduce the margin.
From there, it was an arm wrestle – but both sides where guilty of too many handling errors.
However, the Hunters were able to click into gear right on halftime when Watson Boas went in for his second try to push his side out to a 16-6 going into the break.
Ipswich began the second half with mounting possession as they launched a sustained attack on the Hunters line; but the home side were up to the task.
The arm wrestle continued as both sides struggled with their execution.
With under 20 minutes remaining before fulltime, Jets skipper Nathaniel Neale was able to cross the line and his side had positive momentum, with Conlon again converting the try.
But the Hunters were not going to be denied in their first home game and with the weight of possession going against the visitors; the home side made the most of the opportunity when captain Ase Boas crossed over right on full-time.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups at QRL Live
PNG HUNTERS 22 (Watson Boas 2, Adex Wera, Ase Boas tries; Ase Boas 3 goals) def IPSWICH JETS 12 (Pio Seci, Nathaniel Neale tries; Wes Conlon 2 goals) at Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.
