FORMER Fiji 7s rep Ilai Tinai guided Namosi to a 24-3 bonus point victory against Vatukoula in the Skipper Cup at Theodore Park on Saturday.
Tinai featuring at fullback showed his class by running in two early second-half tries to give his side a comfortable advantage after leading 5-0 at the break.
Both teams had players in the sin bin but the yellow cards hurt Vatukoula the most.
Ball handling once again proved to be the downfall for the Goldminers.
It was a tight first-half with Vatukoula improving a lot after the 55-7 hammering by Nadroga last week.
Namosi’s kicking game paid dividends in the second-half as they pinned Vatukoula in their territory and were able to score the tries from the turnovers.
Panapasa Namoko scored the lone try for the visitors in the first-half.
Tinai scored tries in the 43rd and 53rd minutes while Leone Ratulevu kicked a penalty for Vatukoula.
Aliposo Rauto sealed the win in the 76th minute with a 50-metre intercept try. Vatukoula’s Manoa Natorogia, Saimoni Nadore, Jale Uva and Simione Bolaitamana were shown the yellow cards while Namosi’s Aporosa Gavidi, Iakobo Bose and Lekima Banuve also spent time in the sin bin.
Namosi coach Max Hughes said they achieved their goal of securing a bonus point win.
“Tinai had a great game,” Hughes said.
“He is coming back to form. We tried him at first five-eighth in the opening two games and shifted him to his natural position at fullback for this match. We are still unbeaten which is a good sign.”
Vatukoula team manager Meli Baleinakorovatu said the yellow cards cost them dearly.
“You cannot give away unnecessary penalties against a team like Namosi because they will just hurt you,” Baleinakorovatu said.
“The boys did not want to lose the match and seemed to be frustrated once Namosi went up. Namosi played their cards right and congratulations to them.”
Namosi: Iakobo Bose, Pateresio Tuilawaki, Viliame Rogose, Vaione Tegu, Asaeli Boko, Semi Saulaki, Sevuloni Tawake, Silivenusi Gavidi, Panapasa Namoko, Mosese Tikoduadua, Timoci Sinate, Labereto Taiqoqo, Aliposo Rauto, Aporosa Gavidi, Ilai Tinai.
Vatukoula: Manueli Peckham, Tevita Vakatuturagani, Saimoni Nadore, Jale Uva, Ratu Meli Tuinidau, Iosefo Turaganivalu, Savenaca Ravatu, Malakai Namolo, Apenisa Nale, Semi Tokaduadua, Josaia Qumi, Leone Ratulevu, Jese Robuli Rinakama, Marika Tuiverata, Manoa Natorogia.
