Hunters win Stan Joyce Cup defeating Dolphins

The SP PNG Hunters have won the Stan Joyce Cup for the third year.

They walked away with the Cup today after defeating Redcliffe Dolphins 22-18 in round 9 of the Intrust Super Cup season at the National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.

The Stan Joyce Cup has been played since 2014, commemorating the Hunters franchise major sponsor SP Brewery.

Man of the Match was awarded to Hunters co-captain Noel Zeming, who scored two tries for his team.

His second was scored just six minutes to full time from a magnificent 60-metre runaway try which was the highlight of the match.

Hunters were the first to score through Stargroth Amean five minutes into the game, followed by a conversion by Zeming to put them in the lead 6-0.

Dolphins fought hard to level the score 6-6 nineteen minutes to half-time through Ruzon Nutira, followed by a conversion from Darren Nicholls.

In the second half, Hunters extended their lead when Adex Wera scored the second try 11 minutes into the second half 10-6 after an unsuccessful conversion by Zeming.

It was a close encounter as Dolphins were under a lot of pressure with the Moresby heat adding to their problem.

Zeming scored his first try of the day four minutes later, which put the Hunters way ahead 16-6 after his successful conversion.

Redcliffe Dolphins bounced back scoring their second try through Charlie Faingaa 18 minutes to full time followed by a successful conversion 16-12.

This was followed by Zeming’s runaway try 12 minutes later, 22-12.

Dolphins scored another try three minutes to full time 22-18 through Luke Capewell, followed by a successful conversion, but this wasn’t enough to take them to victory.

Hunters’ coach Michael Marum was impressed with his team’s performance leading up to the Pacific Test against Fiji Bati on May 7 at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

Author: 
Quintina Naime