Hunters snatch victory 24-22

Tigers continued their lead in the 42nd minute through Jake Foster and Shaun Nona raised the flags for an 18-10 lead.

Hunters replied through diminutive hooker Wartovo Puara Jnr who barged his way over in the 55th minute to slam the ball in the eastern corner. Noel Zeming potted the extras as the Hunters closed the gap by two, trailing 18-16.

Both teams stepped up in defence until a brilliant solo performance from Adex Wera who stepped his way past several Tigers defenders and wrong footed the fullback to hand the home side a two points lead for the first time. Zeming split the uprights and the hosts led 22-18.

But the fight was not over as the Tigers scored another try in the last 10 minutes through Shane Neumann and Nona failed to raise the flags. The scores were at 22 all as the crowd were on the edge of their seats.

A mistake under the Tigers uprights saw Zeming pot the extra two points as the hosts led 24-22. Desperate raids by the Tigers were to no avail. With just 10 seconds to go and the ball with the Tigers, the visitors threatened the Hunters line until a kick from Nona saw the ball kicked out on the full.

The crowd stood up as they chanted Hunter, Hunters, Hunters in unison. It was a fitting farewell for the passionate Kalabond crowd, who have followed Hunters fanatically over the last 18 months.

This was the Hunters last game at Kalabond with an away game and another two more to be played in Port Moresby.

Author: 
Manuel Sialis