Hunters posts clubs winning record on Sunday
SP PNG Hunters posted one of the club’s top winning record after demolishing Townsville Blackhawks 52-16 on Sunday.
Hatrick hero Alex Max starred for Hunters as they displayed a ruthless and disciplined game in Round 8 of the QRL Hostplus Cup, in front of packed crowd at Jack Manski Oval.
The dominant performance from the visitors came into light on the back of three straight losses.
There is often more to a game than just the final scoreboard though, and that was true of the Hunters start to the 2024 regular season.
Losses to some of the genuine QRL competition heavyweights skewed what was an extremely challenging opening draw for the proud Papua New Guinean-based side, but they also served as invaluable lessons for this young Hunters squad.
To put all those learnings together into a complete 80-minute performance on Sunday afternoon was a big win for Head Coach Paul Aiton and his players, moving forward.
Many of the positive qualities these Hunters players have exhibited throughout a tough start to the year – resilience under pressure, improved discipline, playing to a plan with the ball – were on display again in QRL Round 8, only this time the Hunters were finally rewarded with the end result.
The Blackhawks struck first in this one through Jaelen Feeney but as they’ve done all year to date, the Hunters quickly fought to slow their opponent’s momentum and drag the game down into a grind.
Townsville halfback Jake Bourke kicked from inside his own 40m line in the Blackhawks next two sets after points as PNG applied pressure with their defence to eventually force an error in yardage from the home side.
Hunters backrower Whallan Tau-Loi cashed in on the first attacking set courtesy of some nice deception from halfback Jamie Mavoko. Max scored his first try in the opening stanza before completing his hatrick in second half from Hunters 9-try haul.
A spectacular night off the tee for Mavoko who complemented what was one of PNG’s best offensive performances in the Hostplus Cup.
The Hunters halfback slotted eight from nine attempts to equal the club’s record for most goals scored in a QRL game and help the Hunters register their fourth biggest winning margin (38) in history.
The SP PNG Hunters will now look to bring their winning form back to the Santos National Football Stadium this coming Saturday, 11th May when they host the competition leading Northern Pride in Round 9 of the QRL Hostplus Cup.