The SP PNG Hunters will meet the North Devils in the 2024 Queensland Rugby League Hostplus Cup Preliminary Final after overcoming the Sunshine Coast Falcons in a gritty 24-10 Semi Final victory on Sunday, September 8th, at Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia.
Against all odds, the Hunters countered the Falcons’ repeated onslaught with their relentless defence in the early proceedings. In the 22nd minute, the visitors ran a quick ball movement and sent winger Brandon Nima to score in the corner. With five minutes left before half time, livewire rake Judah Rimbu scooped the ball swiftly from the ruck and darted over the line to give the Hunters a handy 10-0 at the break.
The Falcons immediately returned the favour in the 47th minute of the second stanza through centre Young Tonumaipea, who made a quick tap and barged his way over the try line. Four minutes later, the hosts ran a well-executed second-man play to send the winger Flynn Camilleri in the corner, locking the points at 10-all.
Unfazed with Falcons’ back-to-back tries to equalise the points, the SP Brewery-sponsored outfit responded in the 59th minute through electric fullback Sanny Wabo, who assisted winger Solo Wane to take the lead. Two minutes later, centre Elijah Roltinger scored an untouched try, followed by back-rower Whallen Tau-Loi on the stroke of full time to put the game beyond doubt.
Goal kicking ace and chief playmaker Jamie Mavoko nailed two conversions from four attempts, the forward pack set the platform upfront, while the backline did the damage and scored four tries to book themselves a preliminary final berth.
Coach Paul Aiton expressed satisfaction with the gutsy victory but admitted that the job was not done yet. He has emphasised more on discipline, ball handling errors, and adhering to simple footy plan or structure to get a positive result.
The unheralded SP PNG Hunters will face off against the bruised Norths Devils in the Preliminary Final blockbuster on Sunday, September 15th, at Bishop Park in Brisbane, Australia.
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