THE Ba Industries Vanua O Ba Challenge Trophy changed hands for the first time last week as Natalecake came strong in the final quarter with two converted tries to seal a dramatic 26-19 victory over the holders Nailaga.
Nailaga had won the first three challenges, repelling Bukuya, Sasa and Duiyasana, but found Natalecake too organised in this match which doubled up as a Vinod Patel Cup Round 4 fixture.
“We have been preparing for this challenge for some weeks,” Natalecake coach Filimoni Nale said after the final whistle. “The Challenge Series has added a new dimension to the club rugby in Ba, and we’ve been looking forward to this match.”
Nailaga had run in three first-half tries to take a handy 19-9 lead at the break, but Player of the Match Meli Tuvusa kicked a fourth penalty goal to bring Natalecake within a converted try.
With pressure mounting just after the hour mark, Nailaga conceded two yellow cards to give the challengers a two-man advantage.
This, Natalecake exploited well with a try under the posts to Tupeni Dikedike before a late score from replacement back Tora Saukuru settled the matter.
The win also puts Natalecake atop Pool A with four wins on the trot.
As the battle heats up for Cup Quarter-final places, Ba River picked up a handy four points with a 16-10 win over Balevuto, while Sasa edged Bukuya 19-15 to lift them to fifth place.
In a very competitive Pool B, Rarawai FSC defeated Tabalei to maintain top spot while Toge, Navala and Sorokoba all won to put some distance between the top four and Lomavata in fifth spot.
In the INOX Trophy, the fishing village of Natawarau won the Pool C clash with Natunuku 10-7 to lead the table while big wins for Vatutavui and Drala means there’s four teams challenging for the two Cup Quarter-final spots.
Bure and Koro blew Pool D wide open with wins over the top two sides Blacksand and Nakavika, respectively.
In Pool E, Fiji Pine Lololo maintained their perfect record with an 8-0 defeat of Green & Gold as Buyabuya also put themselves in the mix with victory over Nasivikoso.
And it’s all tight at the top of Pool F with wins for Koronubu, Services Ba and Koroboya II leaving everything to play for in the final two pool rounds before the quarters.
Round 5 of the Vinod Patel Cup starts this morning at 8am at Vinod Patel Park, with admission set at $5 and $2. The feature game is the Ba Industries Cup Challenge between Natalecake and challengers Nadelei at 3.30pm.
