HARLEQUINS are pressing their claim as a major contender for the Pepsi Capital Rugby Union premiership after a grinding 22-20 win over title holders Valley Hunters in a statement win at the Bava Park in Port Moresby on Saturday.In fact, Valley Hunters had the win for the taking after dominating most of the match and were leading 13-3 at half-time. Harlequins struggled to settle down from the offset with the Hunters pouncing on their errors with their counter attack. The Hunters also had the edge in the scrum battle early on, with their front-row of Jordan Seladi, Jasiel Tilto and Isaachar Kara winning the mind battle, but that wasn’t reflected in the later stages of the game. The Hunters however had the ascendency with two tries and a penalty, with the tri-colours managing a sole penalty through five-eighth Maluai Patala in a dour first-half. The game was still very much in favor of the Hunters, with Harlies not being able to go to several phases without making a mistake. Finally, when they started to use Caleb Nipal more affectively at second-five, they started to have their go-forward and it was the Hunters turn to struggle as the phases mounted. Hunters managed their third try and fullback Sawi Sukumbal basically kept them in the game with his general kicking game and a further penalty conversion. However, in the final quarter when the energy from the Harlies bench came on with replacement hooker Ron Chapiu leading by example, it changed the game dramatically.This added pressure put the Hunters on the back foot as the Harlies big men in Frazer Pundu and Eddie Nipal and Colin Moala powered their way with damaging runs to turn the tide. Harlies hit-back through inform centre Kalon Kivu, Moala and Pundu for the match winner to scrape through with the two-point victory to maintain their third placing after round 15. In the other matches, MBB Marlins continue to signal their intentions with their 45-10 win over Wanderers, to be on level points (unofficial) with the competition leaders (Valley Hunters).Fourth placed Brothers cruised over University Piggies easily winning 31-10 to solidify their status in the top four. In the other matches, Juggernauts continue their inspirational run of late with another victory. This time Watisoni Seruvatu’s men edged Crusaders 8-7, but alongside Nova, don’t look like threatening the top four.