U16s Open QPICC vs Samoa
QLD PNG have been steadily working towards QPICC for over the past few months and tonight, after the opening ceremony, the U16s QLD PNG team were the first team up to bat, playing QLD Samoa. Spectators were treated to the Samoan version of the Haka. The Siva Tau is a Samoan war dance performed in front of their competitors before a game.
PNG started the game with a solid set of six but the Samoans were quick to turn things around once in possession. Samoa looked set score but PNG’s defensive line held. Samoa tried again. This time they ran it down the sideline and Martin Pascoe, a rugby union player in just his second game of rugby league, pulled off an incredible try-saving tackle with the added bonus of taking the Samoan player over the side line.
Samoa, again applied pressure to PNG but this time managed to breach the PNG defence and scoring the first converted try of the match.
PNG 0 v Samoa 6
A great kick from PNG saw Samoa knock out just 20m out from the try line. PNG were unable to take advantage of the situation and a scrum saw the Samoan team regain possession. A great tackle by Josh Paiyo saw Samoa cough up the ball. A few balls later and Paiyo was punching holes in the Samoan defence. However, PNG were unable to turn these into points.
Back in possession, Samoa stepped it up a notch, and they were again looking to score when Martin Pascoe again pulled off a try saving tackle. On the back of the Pascoe’s efforts the PNG boys put together a well constructed set of six and looked set to put their first points on the board when a well read, though offside, intercept resulted in try for Samoa.
PNG 0 v Samoa 10
Samoa managed to add another converted try just as the referee signalled the end of the half. The half-time score:
PNG 0 v Samoa 16
The PNG team started the second half playing with a bit more cohesion and a more up tempo game but Samoa extended their lead with another try.
PNG 0 v Samoa 20
Samoa and PNG spent the next few minutes in a bit of a tight battle, neither side conceding in defence but both teams coughing up ball or pushing bad passes. PNG were next to score courtesy of a bustling try by Josh Paiyo. Jarone Han-Clunn added the much needed extras.
PNG 6 v Samoa 20
Samoa looked set to hit back but the solid PNG defence held firm and the sustained pressure saw Samoa drop the ball. Back in possession the PNG boys took it up to the Samoan 16s and Cruise Ten carved, weaved and pushed his way over the line for PNGs second try of the night.
The full time score PNG 10 v Samoa 20.
