The PNG U20 Pukpuks have finished third at the Oceania Junior Rugby Trophy Championships in Suva, Fiji.
They defeated Vanuatu today by a huge margin, scoring 13 tries in a final scoreline of 80-7.
Pukpuks’ first try was scored by Zion Reto eight minutes into the game. Another try came eight minutes later through Lindsey Yabone which took PNG up to 10-0 followed by the third try, by winger William Tirang 19 minutes into the game.
A successful conversion by Richard Aitsi sent the score to 17-0.
Vanuatu bounced back 25 minutes into the game with their first and only try through centre Dick Taiwia followed by a conversion from by Malau Manaroto, to reduce the gap to 17-7.
With 15 minutes left to half time, PNG sailed through, putting another three tries on the board through Robin Loma, Shane Auakai and Eugene Ivankin to increase their lead to 34-7 at half time despite a yellow card awarded to Jimmy Gissua for a dangerous tackle in the 35th minute.
Pukpuks sailed through the second half, scoring another eight tries through Yabone, Zion Reto, Eliud Hosea (two tries), Gissua, Ricky John, Joe Moke and Graham Karepa and taking them to victory.
The final is being played between Fiji and Tonga for the first and second spot.