Broncos overcome spirited Hunters

Brisbane Broncos interchange Joe Ofahengaue (15) and SP Hunters Nixon Putt race for the ball in the Brisbane  Broncos in goal pic by Mark Talia Post Courier.

BY FIDELIS SUKINA

The Brisbane Broncos overcame a valiant SP PNG Hunters when they came from behind to win 26-12 at the Oil Search National Football Stadium on Saturday.

The crowd of over 14 thousand supporters graced the stadium and left satisfied with a tough match which saw the Hunters lead 12-6 at half time.

The Hunters held well in defense and with the Broncos having a few errors in play ensured the match was tight.

The Hunters simple mistakes made match referee Gavin Badger penalize them for failed “play the ball”, that’s when the Broncos opened the scoring.

The Hunters players were lifting their foot and rolling the ball under; the correct way was to place the ball on the ground and rolling it back with the foot, the Hunters failed six times in the match.

The Broncos used their forwards Matt Lodge and Josh Maguire among others to plunder the Hunters drawing in the defense line before full back Jamayne Isaako passed one to winger Jonus Pearson to dive over and score in the seventh minute, Jordan Kahu extending the lead to 6-0 with a successful sideline conversion.

The Broncos were strong numbering up in their tackles and giving a few solid hits, but when the Broncos missed their opportunities and gave away two penalties the Hunters took advantage.

A short ball by Wartovo Puara in the Broncos 10 meter saw Enoch Maki spin off Matt Lodge and Josh Maguire to bounce onto the try line, Charlie Simon nailing the two point conversion to draw 6-6.

Watson Boas at second receiver organized the attack with Puara out of dummy half, Watson’s grubber kick and re-gather try bought the team to a 12-6 lead in to half time.

The Broncos came back strong in the second half with a more direct approach using the forwards more and less ball outwide.

The Hunters held on to possession but poor execution, play the ball and fledgling defense saw the Broncos show grit and outplay the Hunters.

Radley Brawa was solid for the Hunters in attack he and Maki braved the Broncos line, but that wasn’t enough, with the Broncos running in four tries to win the match.

Captain Alex Glen scored first in the 48th minute, Milford put in a grubber for Prop Korbin Sims to score, Kahu went over untouched before Corey Oates dived over in spectacular fashion to end the match 26-12.