The Agmark Rabaul Gurias and Kroton Hela Wigmen settled for a 22-22 draw in what was a thriller this afternoon at the National Football Stadium.
The fullbacks from both sides scored the first two tries of the match with Konie Bernard crossing over for the Gurias and Junior Rau for the Wigmen minutes later.
After the first ten minutes, the Gurias started to dominate, keeping the Wigmen in their own half.
With playmaker Stanley Olo directing play, the Gurias hit the lead again after Olo sent Eliakim Lukara racing in to score in the 24th minute.
The back end of the first half saw scrappy play with poor ball handling from the two teams.
The Wigmen got their second try just seconds from the half time siren, thanks to winger Clyde Osei, who latched on to the ball to score.
William Mone made it look easy, striking it clean right from the sideline to give his side a lead of 12-10 at the break.
Five minutes into the second half saw the lead change again when Tuvi Lepan stepped in and brushed past two defenders to dive over.
Joe Tabutabu kicked the Gurias to 16-12.
A mistake right from the restart allowed the Wigmen to hit back immediately.
This came through former Hunters player Warren Glare, who ducked and weaved his way over to slam the ball down under the posts.
Mone's conversion took the Wigmen to 18-16.
Some razzle dazzle football from the Gurias saw them take back the lead in the 58th minute through John Ragi flying over on the corner.
In front at 22-18 and with five minutes left on the clock, it looked like the Gurias had done enough to win.
But some individual brilliance from Wigmen centre David Lapua brought the score to 22-22 after he kicked for himself and scored.
It was left to Mone from the sideline to win the match but his kick sailed wide, leaving the two sides in a draw.