Souths Logan Magpies

Hunters looking to exact revenge

The Magpies have previously defeated the Hunters during their round 7 challenge at the National Football Stadium in April.

It was the April 22nd home game that the host team was looking to get the upper hand. Unfortunately for them, the Magpies walked away with an 8-point victory.

13 games later, the SP PNG Hunters will be meeting the Souths Logan Magpies again, but this time at the Magpies’ turf at Davies Park, Brisbane.

“We have a good record at Davies Park. Played all our games there and won it so that’s the advantage there,” says Coach Michael Marum.

Hunters lose at home

It started out differently with newly appointed fullback Edene Gabbie dashing 80 metres to score and put the home side in front the first four minutes.

With Ase Boas converting, the Hunters were out to a 6-0 lead.

But the tourists responded not long after from a kick that found the hands of Marion Seve.

With the conversion successful, it was 6-6.

The Hunters muscled their way back to regain the lead through Willie Minoga, who barged through for a four-pointer.

Ase simply added the extras with ease.

Magpies: One of our best games this season

“It wasn’t the prettiest in attack. I thought both sides were really willing in defence. The end result was two tries a piece. It was a really good game of footy.

“We’re a bit bruised and battered but we’ll be alright. We have a bye this weekend and we’re looking forward to a break to freshen before our next game,” said Buchanan.

“Thanks for having us, it’s always good coming here to PNG.”

Captain of the Magpies, Phil Dennis, added that a lot had been taken out from the 12-8 loss.

Hunters scrape home with 12-8 win

It was a balanced opening quarter as both sides looked to find their rhythm.

The Hunters found theirs first in the 21st minute when Israel Eliab found space down the short side and gave it on to Watson Boas, who drew in the defence before firing out to Bland Abavu to run away to score.

Captain and five-eighth Ase Boas had no trouble converting to make it 6-0.

The Magpies found the try line later in the 31st minute of play after some good vision from Luke Archer saw him cross over on the wing.

Marum names unchanged starting line-up

The squad was announced on Tuesday this week.

Marum has added Brandy Peter, Lawrence Tu’u and Karo Kauna Jnr to the extended 20 man squad.

The 20 man squad is (three to be omitted): 1. Stargroth AMEAN 2. Bland ABAVU 3. Israel ELIAB 4. Willie MINOGA 5. Adex WERA 6. Ase BOAS – Captain 7. Watson BOAS 8. Wellington ALBERT 9. Wartovo PUARA Jnr 10. Esau SIUNE 11. Nixon PUT 12. David LOKO 13. Stanton ALBERT 14. Sailas GAHUNA 15. Rhadley BRAWA 16. Enock MAKI 17. Moses MENINGA 18. Brandy PETER 19. Lawrence TU’U 20. Karo KAUNA Jnr.

Three wins on the trot for Hunters

The Hunters were first on the board in the 13th minute courtesy of some fancy footwork and speed from fullback Stargroth Amean who danced around the defence and dived over to score.

His opposite number, Jamayne Isaako proved hard to stop near the line when he bulldozed his way over to score just after the 20 minute mark.

An unsuccessful conversion put the score at 6-4 with the Hunters in front.

Hunters fry Magpies

The Magpies took a 12-6 lead at half time with tries to Marion Seve as early as the second minute, then again through Scott Doyle and Jack Joass.

The Hunters were right back in the game two minutes into the second half when Ase Boas crossed over.

Noel Zeming converted to level the score at 12-12.

The lead changed again just 7 minutes later when Joass grabbed his second of the match.

Doyle extended the score out to 20-12 for the Magpies in the 67th minute converting a penalty to put the margin beyond a converted try.

Magpies side boast four current Broncos players

Prop Joe Ofahengaue, a member of the 2015 Broncos grand final side that lost to North Queensland Cowboys, has played almost 30 games for Brisbane since being signed up last year.

Fellow prop forward Herman Ese’Ese made his debut in Round 8 in April when the Broncos played South Sydney. He is a former Canterbury Bulldogs player.

Joe Boyce, who plays at lock, made his Broncos debut in Round 11 last year while sensational centre Marion Seve is awaiting his chance for a start in Bennet’s star studded backline.