The South Logan Magpies fought hard to claim their first ever win over the PNG Hunters, securing a 20- 12 victory at the National Football Stadium yesterday in their Round 7 clash.
It was a highly entertaining match throughout, and it was the home side who struck first courtesy, of fullback Edene Gebbie who sprinted 80m to score after finding a gap in the blind side.
The ever-reliable Ase Boas converted the try to bring up more than 400 points for the club, making him only the second Hunters player to do so behind Noel Zeming.
Souths Logan have been ominous try-scoring moods of late, and the visitors replied shortly after to score when a grubber kick found centre Marion Seve who went in. Guy Hamilton, who grabbed a share of the lead on the Intrust Super Cup top points-scorers ladder in this game (68 points alongside Redcliffe’s Kotoni Staggs) converted the try to lock up the scores 6-6 with just 11 minutes gone.
The Magpies were impressive with forwards Patrick Mago in his 50th game and George Fai leading the way.
However, it was the Hunters who were able to regain the lead thanks to some good work from their forward Willie Minoga, who muscled his way over to score.
Boas again converted the try and the home side led 12-6 with 20 minutes gone.
The Magpies hit back 10 minutes later courtesy of halfback Sam Scarlett and with Hamilton conversion again successful, the game was locked up at 12-12 and stayed that way into the halfback break.
The second half was an arm wrestle throughout, but when Hamilton kicked a penalty goal in the 62nd minute; the Magpies held on to a two-point lead with plenty of football still to play.
Crossing the line proved difficult for both teams, but the result was put beyond doubt when Jordan Scott, who came onto the field with just on 10 minutes left to play, was able to get the ball down with five minutes left on the clock.
Hamilton kicked his fourth goal of the game to seal their victory.
It was a great result for the Magpies who have now moved to second place on the ladder.
Things do not get any easier for the Hunters who have now lost five and won two of their matches as they will next week travel to the Gold Coast to take on the competition leaders the Burleigh Bears.
See the full scoring details and final team line-ups for this game at QRL Live
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 20 (Marion Seve, Sam Scarlett, Jordan Scott tries; Guy Hamilton 4 goals) def PNG HUNTERS 12 (Edene Gebbie, Willie Minoga tries; Ase Boas 2 goals) at Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.
Main photo: Souths Logan form a huddle. FILE IMAGE
