Round 9

It was a high scoring affair from the outset with both teams exchanging tries but Tumbe had the last laugh with the winning try in the final 10 minutes of the 2^nd half to take out the match.

Before the match, it was quite an emotional moment for late Papa Gurias widow Derrie Nightingale when she presented the jerseys to the players for the first time again in 2 years after her late husband and franchise owner John Nightingale passed away in 2020.

And the Vipers come under the pump to maintain their early season winning form.

Matches will be played in five different venues.

On Saturday, Minj will host Mt. Hagen Eagles and PRK Gulf Isou, Kimbe Cutters and Bintangor Lanahis meet in Kimbe and competition leaders Agmark Gurias hosts JPG Waghi Tumbe in Kokopo.

While Lae will host a double header - Lae Snax Tigers vs EPG Mioks and PRK Muruks meet Moni Plus NCDC.

Coming off a big 42-20 win over the Townsville Blackhawks last Friday, the Hunters will take plenty of confidence into this weekend’s match up. Middle forwards Sylvester Namo and Emmanuel Waine were standouts in that win, combining for three tries, 264 running metres and 12 tackle busts through the middle of the field. 

The Sharks were down to 12 men for more than an hour after Kennedy was given his marching orders for a clothesline-type tackle on Warriors fullback Reece Walsh in the 16th minute. 

They were then down to 11 midway through the second half when Ramien was next to spend time on the sidelines for a high shot on Warriors back-rower Euan Aitken. 

However, the home side hit the lead in the first half and never let it go to absorb pressure and come up with 17 unanswered points in the second 40 minutes to record a huge win against all odds.

The Dragons did well to absorb some pressure early but weren't given many opportunities to attack the Storm's line with Cameron Munster and Harry Grant putting on a show at AAMI Park. 

The Storm lost Papenhuyzen to a left hamstring injury after he had his right knee assessed at half-time after copping a knock from Blake Lawrie in a tackle.

Papenhuyzen crossed for two tries to continuing his try-scoring run before leaving the field. He joined Smith, who has a suspected torn pectoral muscle.

Their opponents, the Warriors, did exactly that last start with a field goal in golden point to Shaun Johnson turning around a 60-point loss a week earlier.

Johnson, the former Sharks halfback himself, will be looking to get one over his old club in his return to the Shire. 

The match-up between Johnson and Hynes will be worth the price of admission alone while the Warriors' forward pack aimed up against Canberra's big men and will need to do so again in enemy territory.

Melbourne backed up their record-breaking performance when they pummelled the Warriors at the venue on ANZAC day with another crushing effort against the Knights.

The Dragons, however, will go into the game with plenty of confidence after a string of wins against Newcastle, the Roosters and Wests Tigers.

St George Illawarra's biggest strength has been getting the opposition into an arm wrestle before winning the key moments in recent weeks. If they're to do similiar against the Storm then they'll give themselves every chance of causing an upset.

North Queensland are now in third position behind Penrith and Melbourne after overcoming an injury hit Newcastle side in hot and humid conditions at QCB Stadium.

Halfback Chad Townsend produced four try assists from kicks, with teenage second-rower Jeremiah Nanai among the beneficiaries in a stunning performance that showed why he is so highly regarded by Cowboys coach Todd Payten.

Tedesco scored back-to-back tries in the first half to put the Roosters on top after conceding an early try before losing hooker Sam Verrills with a shoulder injury and prop Lindsay Collins to the sin bin.

The Kangaroos fullback grabbed his third try in the 65th minute to put paid to a second half Titans comeback and the Roosters finished too strong against a Gold Coast team which has now lost five consecutive matches.

North Queensland have been the surprise packets of the 2022 season so far with halves Chad Townsend and Tom Dearden clicking behind a forward pack led by Cowboys powerhouse Jason Taumalolo, who has found his groove. 

Newcastle are reeling after heavy back-to-back defeats on home turf and on the back of a six-game losing streak, they now find themselves on the bottom of the ladder.