The PNG Under 23 Residents triumphed over the New South Wales U23 Country this afternoon at the National Football Stadium.
The score was 18-12 when the hooter went off.
The home team claimed victory in the inaugural PNG Residents match, but not without a few minor hiccups.
Winning coach Stanley Tepend admitted to a slow start with a few errors, but credited the PNG boys for a great win.
The first try of the match was from the visiting team when Owen Blaire intercepted a pass and sped 70 metres to give his team an advantage in the first half.
Around 14 minutes later and a burly Muku Peter Kalu shrugs off a defender for PNG’s first try of the match.
An unsuccessful conversion left the scores at 4-6, in favour of NSW Country.
39 minutes in and well-executed passes from the home team saw Edwin Ipape cross the NSW tryline.
Nicky Hasu missed the posts to leave the scores at 8-6, with the home team barely keeping ahead.
A return from second half and the visitors kept the PNG boys at bay until they slotted one in through Zac Greene.
Five-eighth Derek Hay once again successfully converted the try to put his team in front, 12 points to 8.
53 minutes into second half and PNG’s centre, Brandon Nima, dove past three defenders to equalise the game, thanks to an error from the NSW Country boys.
Nicky Hasu’s kick once again went off mark.
67 minutes in and Edwin Ipape swerved past defenders to put his team in the lead.
Hasu successfully converted this time for an 18-12 victory.
(Edwin Ipape with a final try up his sleeve)