THE SP PNG Hunters put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short against the Northern Pride in Round 5 of the QRL Hostplus Cup at Barlow Park, Cairns on Saturday night, losing 34-14.
Despite facing consistent pressure from the Pride in the opening stages, the Hunters were able to successfully defend their try line. However, some ill-discipline from the Hunters resulted in back-to-back attacking sets for the Pride, who were still unable to break through PNG’s defence. The Hunters capitalized on their resilience without the ball and charged up the field, but the Pride contained their fifth tackle options, resulting in a closely contested game.
The Pride managed to break the deadlock in the 12th minute, thanks to Dantoray Lui’s try, which was set up by some enterprising play through the middle. The Hunters almost responded shortly after when Brandon Nima intercepted a floating pass and won possession back for his team. However, a heavy fifth-tackle kick from the Hunters gave the Pride an easy passage out of their own end.
Just as the Hunters were searching for a way to swing the momentum in their favor, halfback Judah Rimbu produced a clever move on the last tackle, faking a kick before quickly swinging the ball to the right edge, where Rodrick Tai burned his opposite man and scored in the corner.
Despite their attacking skills, the Hunters’ ill-discipline in defence continued to make it too easy for the Pride to score.
