It really has been a wonderful festival of rugby league!
The PNG LNG Kumuls had 34 points under their belt when they went for a break, with the USA Hawks yet to score.
Just a minute back from half time and David Mead scooped the ball and did an 80-metre run to score for the PNG Kumuls. A successful conversion by Rhyse Martin made it 40-nil, in favour of the home side.
Unfortunately, Gary Lo got a right ankle injury in the second half and was unable to come back on for the rest of the match.
This, however, did not affect PNG’s try-scoring streak.
Stargroth Amean was the man doing the damage, valiantly holding on through defence looking for support, getting the ball to Watson Boas to score right under the goal post.
Full back of the PNG Hunters Amean showed his class with back up from teammate Boas, who got through to the tryline.
Martin, as usual, was in total control of his kicking game, taking the score to 46-nil.
The heat policy came into effect with a drink break.
Returning on field, Lachlan Lam drew the defence, offloaded to Martin who got the ball off to Nene Macdonald for a great finish; PNG reaching half a century.
The wind behind Martin made it easy converting to 52-nil.
Justin Olam got his second try through an outstanding pass from Lachlan Lam once more, who had a good eye to get the ball out wide to Macdonald, who offloaded to Olam.
Martin was in massive form, his kicking game on par. Using the wind to his advantage, he converted to bring the score to 58-nil.
USA Hawks almost scored through their number one, but a brilliant save from Kumul captain David Mead kept the Hawks scoreless.
Justin Olam went on to bag a hat trick, covering 90 metres to score off a loose ball from the Hawks.
The final score 64-nil, 11 tries to the Kumuls and zilch to the USA Hawks.
A thoroughly convincing win from PNG LNG Kumuls at the Oil Search National Football Stadium and the Kumuls are off to the quarter-finals against England.
(Rod Griffin celebrating)
Related article:
Kumuls 34 points ahead at half-time http://www.looppng.com/node/69454