THE PNG Hunters have made Intrust Super Cup history, after they advanced to their first grand final with a gritty 6-4 victory over Redcliffe.

Michael Marum’s side put on a defensive masterclass in Port Moresby, denying the Dolphins the chance to score any tries in front of a packed stadium.

All of Redcliffe’s points came from penalty goals, while PNG skipper Ase Boas scored the only four-pointer of the game to send the Dolphins back to Queensland without the much-needed win.

The massive effort from the Hunters will see them play in their first grand final on September 24 at Suncorp Stadium.

media_camera Ase Boas and the PNG Hunters are into the Intrust Super Cup final. File photo

Redcliffe meanwhile will host the Sunshine Coast in a preliminary final next Sunday, with the two teams to battle it out for the other spot in the grand final.

The Falcons moved one step closer to that premiership match on Sunday, after claiming a hard-fought 26-22 win over Easts Tigers.

The two Melbourne feeder clubs battled it out until the very last second at Langlands Park, but the Falcons’ defence was simply too good for the Tigers.

media_camera Jye Ballinger makes a break for the Sunshine Coast Falcons against the East Tigers. Picture: Marc Robertson

Easts had three repeat sets in the dying minutes, but Sunshine Coast did well to hold them out before a spilled ball from Tigers No. 1 Linc Port gave the Falcons possession with just a minute left on the clock.

Sunshine Coast coach Craig Ingebrigtsen was extremely proud of his side’s determination and courage and said it meant a lot to the club to be one game away from the grand final.

He also praised the defensive efforts of skipper Dane Hogan and the work of three-try hero Jye Ballinger.

“I’m over the moon,” Ingebrigtsen said.

“I’m really happy for Dane Hogan and blokes like that who bust their guts. They’re closer to winning the premiership.

“(Easts) had all the ball on our try-line there and it just shows how brave our footy team is for us to absorb that pressure. People like Dane Hogan, they’re unbelievable human beings.

“To be in this position, it’s fantastic … it’s a fantastic feeling. We’re one win away from being in the grand final and all the hard work we’ve done for 10 months has paid off.”

media_camera Falcons fullback Jahrome Hughes takes on the Tigers defence. Picture: Marc Robertson

Redcliffe and Sunshine Coast met at the same stage of the competition last year, with the Dolphins advancing to the grand final with a 38-16 win over the Falcons.

Ingebrigtsen said they were determined to not suffer a similar fate this season and knew they just had to work on their discipline.

“We have to work harder and stop giving the ball back,” he said.

“That’s what we did (on Sunday). We gave them a lot of opportunity.”