The PNG LNG Kumuls has defeated the Vodafone Fiji Bati 22-10 in their impressive and thrilling first encounter of the 2024 Pacific Rugby League Bowl Championship match at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji. The first half of the match was dominated by the Kumuls with three tries. Robert Derby opened the scoring in the 17th minute for the Kumuls by an intercept, followed by a try from Judah Rimbu in the 25th minute, and a third try for the Kumuls from Sylvester Namo with two minutes left on the clock before half time. The Kumuls led 16-0 in the first half. The Bati's first try came in the 7th minute of the second half from Semi Valemei. The Kumuls maintained the pressure on the Bati and managed to come away with a try from Nene McDonald to put them ahead to 22-4. Bati had the final say as Maika Sivo scored the second try in the last seconds of the match. The Kumuls will host the Cook Islands on Sunday November 3 at the Santos National Footbal Stadium in their second match of the Pacific Rugby League Bowl Championship.