PNG Pukpuks beat Tahiti 32-10

The PNG Pukpuks surged home in the second half to set up a 32-10 win over Tahiti in one of yesterday’s opening matches of the Oceania Rugby Cup at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.

PNG were slow to find their form while Tahiti dominated possession early on.

Anthony Tesquet had a chance to score first points for Tahiti but his penalty kick fell short.

PNG got the ball rolling midway through the first half when a break out on the wing saw Jacky Marcus dive over to score.

An unsuccessful conversion from Nigel Genia left the score at 5-0.

Genia got it right the second time, kicking a penalty goal to extend PNG’s lead.

PNG continued to keep the pressure on and soon found another crack in Tahiti’s defence when centre James Lumaris busted through to score.

Genia failed again to add the extras.

Tahiti gave themselves some hope with a penalty conversion right on half time to go into the break trailing 13-3.

Butler Morris opened the scoring for PNG early in the second half when he scooped up a loose ball metres away from Tahiti’s try line and darted away for a try.

Genia this time slotted the ball through the posts.

Tahiti worked up possession and through some good play from a maul barged their way over the line through Lorris Peytavit.

But PNG were too strong, running in two more late tries through Derek Paraka and another to Marcus.

In the other game, American Samoa beat Solomon Islands 30-15.

Author: 
Troy Taule