Robert Mathias and Valentine Richard stood out for the SP PNG Hunters, in the team’s 22 to 10 victory over the Sunshine Coast Falcons at the Santos National Football Stadium.
The Duo scored a try each in the round three fixture of the 2024 Hotplus Cup season. Robert Mathias even helped to set up a try to Clent Lama after he made the initial break that led to the try. The Hunters didn’t have the services of Valentine and Robert last week. The two are still having issues with their Visas and are not able to travel to Australia. Possibly miss more away games before the issues are sorted.
Hunters Coach Paul Aiton did admit that the duo was missed during the second-round loss to the Capras in Central Queensland last weekend. But added that there are players who are capable of filling the spots of the two players.
“Valentine Richard is a Kumul and Robert Mathias is impressive. It was a very big loss for us last week without them in the team. But their not being in the team allows us to put in other players that can fill in their spots, and them missing the away games is going to happen again because of their Visas not being granted,” Aiton said.
Paul Aiton did not specify what the reason was for the duo’s visa troubles. Adding that it was not serious but it was a matter of the two players sorting themselves out. Confirming it was a personal issue and would be sorted out eventually.
The match against the Falcons started off slow for both teams. The Hunters suffering a sin bin in the 6th minute to winger Solo Wane.
The Hunters and Falcons played in overcast conditions. It was suitable for a great day of rugby league, but the crowds were kept disappointed by the home side. Countless errors especially poor ball security plagued the Hunters. The Falcons were also victims of poor ball handling, causing a meager flow in the opening exchanges of the half.
The Falcons had an opportunity to get an early two-point lead but were left disappointed when half-back Cody Hunter failed to convert the penalty conversion.
Hunters were camped in the Falcon’s half and finally cracked their defense in the 25th minute. A simply set play leading to a string of passes found fullback Sonny Wabo on the sidelines. Wabo giving an inside ball to Winger Brendon Nima to crash over for the Hunters first try.
A successful conversion by Clent Lama took the Hunters to a 6-0 lead. The Falcons responded with a try 4 minutes later. A cross-field bomb by halfback Cody Hunter from the left side of the field to the right, was caught in mid-air by the Falcons second rower Thallon Peters, who then scored the Falcons opening try.
Falcons Zacariah Miles missed the Conversion to trail 6-4 in favor of the Hunters, the scores remained 6-4 at halftime.
The Falcons scored first in the second half. A converted try to Falcons Kane Jackson pushing the visitors to a 10-6 lead.
But the Hunters managed to get themselves back in the game. A late surge in the final 20 minutes set in motion three tries for the classy win. Clent Lama crossed over in the 65th minute, followed by Robert Mathias in the 75th minute. Finally the win was sealed by Valentine Richard who muscled his way onto the try line in the 78th minute, ending the match 22 points to 10 for a Hunters second win on home soil.
Coach Aiton was happy with the result. Despite a slow start the team managed to turn things around in the final 20 minutes to surge home for the big win.
Recent: https://insidepng.com/glare-talin-and-kai-to-debut-for-hunters/
Comments are closed.