An error in the 77th minute allowed the Mackay Cutters to sneak in a late try to force a 22-22 draw with the SP Hunters this afternoon at the National Football Stadium.
The Hunters came out firing asking questions early on putting the Cutters under the pump.
It took 18 minutes for the Hunters to find the try line thanks to the work of halfback Watson Boas who created space out wide for Stargroth Amean to slice through and score.
The visitors hit back only four minutes later after a kick from Nicho Hynes found its mark in Yamba Bowie to fly over on the wing.
Boas was again involved in the Hunters next try this time sending in Israel Eliab to take the Hunters to 12-4.
The last ten minutes of the first half belonged to the Cutters who levelled the score up with another try from Bowie and a penalty goal from the boot of Jack Joass in the 39th minute.
The home side raced away to a 22-12 lead in the second half with a double from Bland Abavu.
From here on, the Hunters muscled up in defence and a victory looked certain.
But the tide turned in the last 10 minutes starting with a try from Johnny Faletagoa'I that brought the Cutters up to trail by a converted try.
The pressure fell right back on the Hunters and a knock on from Israel Eliab three minutes out from full time allowed Shane Wright to pounce on the ball and run away to score near the posts.
Cool as a cucumber, Joass made no mistake striking it clean to tie the score leaving the crowd of 7, 870 disappointed with the draw.