Hunters lose 18-12 to Falcons in elimination final

The SP Hunters season has come to an end after losing 18-12 in this afternoon’s elimination final against the Sunshine Coast Falcons at the National Football Stadium.

The Falcons took a 6-4 lead at half-time and had to defend their lead right to the last second to win the game and also become the first team this season to beat the Hunters at home.

The Hunters were starved of possession early in the second half and had to do a lot of defending.

The Falcons lead was pushed out to 10-4 in the 55th minute when quick hands sent Samuel Wright flying over on the wing.

The Falcons found the try line again just after the restart through Ryley Jacks who was put through a gap and ran away to score under the posts.

Joe Stimson gave his side a comfortable 16-4 lead adding the extras.

But the Hunters fought back and in the 66th minute and scored out wide through Butler Morris who was too big and too strong to stop charging down the wing.

This lifted the Hunters and turned the game right around with all the momentum in their favour.

The Falcons sensed danger and when presented with an opportunity to get more points, they took it.

With the Hunters giving away a penalty right in front of the uprights, Stimson wasted no time opting to kick and was successful leaving the score at 18-8.

 With 6 minutes remaining on the clock, it looked all but over for the Hunters.

 The Hunters showed their fighting spirit and Morris crossed for his third try of the match in the 77th minute.

Ase Boas attempt to convert the try was unsuccessful but the pressure was clearly now back on the Falcons.

All three attempts to convert Morris’ tries were unsuccessful (0/2 to Noel Zeming, 0/1 to Ase Boas).

But the Falcons held on to win the match and advance onto week 2 of the finals of the Intrust Super Cup competition.

Author: 
Troy Taule