The SP PNG Hunters travel to Cairns to face the Northern Pride this Sunday, 19th June at 2:10pm in Round 12 of the QRL Host plus Cup. Sunday’s clash is an important game for both sides, who currently sit equal on the ladder with three wins apiece so far this season. With the pointy end of the year approaching, the two points on offer in Round 12 are invaluable as the Hunters and Pride both chase a coveted finals berth. For the Hunters, Sunday’s clash is a chance to go back-to-back for the first time in 2022. The PNG side held on for a brave 26-22 win over Souths Logan Magpies last weekend, taking the lead with 20 minutes remaining thanks to Dilbert Issac and then desperately defending for the final quarter of the match. That victory rounded out a promising month of football for the Hunters who, aside from a disappointing performance against Redcliffe in Round 9, have won two games and come within two points of last year’s finalists Tweed Seagulls in their last four matches. The Hunters can take plenty of confidence out of their narrow Round 11 win over the Magpies, and with a similar performance this week they will be every chance against a Pride outfit who has also shown signs of improvement over the last month. They mightn’t have got the result in Round 11, but Pride’s 22-26 loss to the defending premiers Norths Devils last weekend was encouraging for the Northern faithful. Fullback Julian Christian was in inspired form in that game, running for 285 meters and scoring a try to almost drag his side to victory. The last time these sides met was in Round 14, 2021 with the Hunters coming out on top 34-22 in a high scoring affair. Hunters’ winger Solo Wane scored a hattrick in that game and will like his chances to cross again on Sunday given how smoothly PNG shifted the ball in attack last week.