The SP Hunters have returned to the winner's circle in round four with a 32-18 victory over the Tweed Heads Seagulls to farewell Hunter #27, Stargroth Amean.
This afternoon at the Oil Search National Football Stadium, the Seagulls had the possession early on, forcing the Hunters to defend under pressure.
But the Hunters survived and a penalty carried them out of their own half and into Seagulls territory.
Good vision by captain and five-eighth Ase Boas led to the first try, with Boas spreading it out wide for a flying Edene Gabbie to score first points in the 12th minute.
The Hunters’ good start was nearly all undone when Brendon Gotuno dropped the ball from the restart.
But the home side were out of trouble after a Seagulls error gave them back the ball.
The Seagulls eventually did find the line after some loose defence out on Gabbie's wing allowed Kainoa Gudgeon to sneak past before flicking it in for Kiah Copper to do the rest.
The score was level at 6-6 in the 22nd minute with captain and halfback, Eli Levido, adding the extras.
It was fitting for the man of the moment, Stargroth Amean, to lift his side in his last match – and he did so in style, beating five defenders to score his 37th try in 64 games.
The Hunters dominated the reminder of the first half and registered their third try of the match courtesy of some Boas brilliance right before the break.
The captain easily made it three from three to give the Hunters an 18-6 lead going into the sheds.
Boas booted the Hunters further in front in the second half, opting to go for the kick after a penalty right in front of the sticks.
This lead was further extended minutes later with Gabbie diving over for his second of the afternoon.
Boas made it look easy, sailing the ball through the posts right from the sideline to give the Hunters a commanding 26-6 lead.
The Seagulls showed they had plenty of fight in them striking twice through Cooper and then prop, Moeaki Fotuaika.
With ten minutes remaining, it was still anyone's game.
But it was not to be with this time, Watson Boas breaking through to run 40 metres to score and seal the win.
Ase was rightfully awarded the man of the match with six goals to his name plus a try.
There were emotional scenes after the match with Amean being carried around the National Football Stadium for the last time.