Two tries from Adex Wera helped the SP Hunters beat competition leaders Redcliffe Dolphins 12-10 and win the Stan Joyce Cup this afternoon at the National Football Stadium.
It was a close game riddled with errors from both sides.
The visitors were first on the board in the 23rd minute after Moses Pangai pounced on the ball to score, after an error made by Stargroth Amean from a Christian Hazard kick.
The kick from Joshua Beehag right from the sideline was good enough, sailing between the posts to make it 6-0.
In his first game back for the Hunters this season, Wartovo Puara Jr. led the Hunters right back in the game, forcing a lineout to build some pressure on the opposition.
With a repeat set up their sleeves, Ase Boas looked to the wing and with an inside ball, sent Adex Wera crashing over in the 27th minute of the match.
Boas then added the extras to lock the score at 6-6.
These were the only points scored in the first half.
The Hunters pushed to the lead in the 46th minute when Boas converted a penalty goal from right in front.
Poor ball handling continued to rule the game as it entered into its final quarter.
The Dolphins took back the lead after 65 minutes through some individual brilliance from five-eighth Tyson Gamble, who weaved his way in and out of the defence to find the try line. Beehag’s kick this time fell short, giving the Dolphins a narrow lead of two points.
The winning try came nine minutes out from full time when Wera stepped past former Hunter Thompson Teteh to score near the posts and chalk up the Hunters' fifth win this season from seven games.