PNG Hunters down Norths Devils 32 - 22

PNG Hunters have kept their final hopes alive by beating Norths Devil  32 - 22 at the Kalabond Oval in Kokopo. The Devils were first to score in the first half. Stoic defence, allied to a lop-sided penalty count, saw them frustrate the Hunters in the first 35 minutes and build up a 14-0 advantage.

However - after a devastating break from Thompson Teteh helped Roger Laka reduce the deficit with a converted try just before the break to trail 14 -6. 

In the second half, Adex Wera started the ball rolling with an incredible solo effort which saw him fend off a posse of hapless defenders before touching down.

And soon after, Dion Aiye showed all his class by bamboozling the Norths rearguard with a brilliant dummy and defence-splitting run to finally put the Hunters in front.

Norths squeezed over in the corner against the run of play to retake the lead with 25 minutes to play, but a sensational 95m interception try from Thompson Teteh restored the Hunters' advantage heading into the final quarter, and then the the 'locomotive' David Loko crashed on to a short ball to increase that lead.

Though another Norths score reduced the deficit to just 26-22 with 10 minutes to play, the Hunters rode put a tense finale well and it was, fittingly, left to unsung hero Brandy Peter to seal the victory with his first ever Hunters try two minutes from time!

The victory represents another triumph for coach Michael Marum and leaves the Hunters' play-off destiny in their own hands, which makes a total mockery of the disrespectful predictions from Australian bookmakers who priced up the Hunters as favourites to take out the wooden spoon!

The Hunters will face  Ipswich Jest at the same ground next week.