Sport: PNG Hunters extend Q-Cup lead

3:08 pm on 10 July 2017

The Papua New Guinea Hunters have extended their lead atop the Intrust Super Cup rugby league competition after beating reigning premiers Burleigh 20-12 in Port Moresby.

The home side were the first to score in the eighth minute after the ball found an unmarked Wawa Paul out wide.

Burleigh hit back only six minutes later when hooker Patrick Politoni burrowed over near the uprights, with Jamal Fogarty adding the extras.

PNG Kumuls prop Luke Page was influential as the Bears continued to attack the Hunters line, with reserve front rower Matt White making the breakthrough with a barn-storming run, carrying four defenders over the line to score, with Fogarty slotting the conversion.

The PNG Hunters kept up their winning ways against the Burleigh Bears.

The PNG Hunters kept up their winning ways against the Burleigh Bears. Photo: RNZI / Melvin Levongo

With halftime approaching, captain Ase Boas struck back for the Hunters with a solo effort in the 35th minute, before converting his own try to cut the deficit to 12-10 at the break.

The home side regained the lead in the 47th minute when Watson Boas found Bland Abavu with a cutout ball before sealing the result himself with a kick and regather to score the Hunters' fourth try.

Brother Ase Boas kicked the extra two points to give the home side a third straight win and tenth in eleven matches.

Michael Marum's side are three points clear of the chasing pack, with six regular season games to play, and are guaranteed another two points this weekend from the bye.

The Sunshine Coast Falcons regained second place, leapfrogging Redcliffe, after beating Dolphins 28-24.