The Papua New Guinea Hunters extended their winning streak to seven matches after a hard-fought 12-8 victory over Souths Logan Magpies in Port Moresby.
The home side opened the scoring with a try to winger Bland Abavu in the 21st minute, with captain Ase Boas slotting the conversion from out wide.
Poor discipline gave the Mapgies an opening just after the half hour mark and they capitalised with fullback Jamayne Isaako sending winger Luke Archer clear to score, however the conversion was unsuccessful and the Hunters went into halftime with a 6-4 buffer.
Adex Wera and Stargroth Amean keep the Mapgies attack at bay. Photo: RNZI / Melvin Levongo
The arm-wrestle continued in the second spell and it took another 21 minutes for the Hunters to break the scoring drought, with centre Israel Eliab finishing a slick backline move and Ase Boas adding the extras to make it 12-4.
With time running out, Souths began to chance their arm in an effort to break through the home defence and with ten minutes remaining Jamayne Isaako found the tryline, following some more Hunters errors with the ball.
But the visitors again failed to add the extras and the home side held on for a four point victory, maintaining their one point lead atop the Intrust Super Cup ladder.
