Just as Round One of the Skipper Cup and Subrails Marama Championship approached, Ba’s preparations for their three matches with Suva were thrown into disarray when they heard the game had been brought forward by one day.
“The late change, coming on Tuesday, caught us by surprise,” BRU Secretary Gaby Kautoga said.
“It seems there was a miscommunication somewhere along the line about the closure of HFC Bank Stadium this week.”
Not only did the new date mean rushed changes in travel and accommodation, but more importantly it altered team preparations.
“We told the players that these things were out of our control, so don’t let it affect you, just adjust and make do,” Kautoga said.
Some of the players in the NEWWORLD IGA Ba Women’s team were unable to take another day off work at such short notice, so they got left behind.
“They had already arranged to take leave on Friday, but couldn’t get the Thursday off as well when we were travelling around Viti Levu to Suva.”
“It’s a great pity for those players, but they can join us next week when we host Tailevu at 4R Stadium, Govind Park.”
As it happened, the young Ba Women, playing their first-ever match at this level against a side who have been champions multiple times, stood up to be counted.
Playing well-structured rugby, they raced to a 27-7 half-time lead after the opening score from Acelini Tuwai, a brace of tries to Balevuto winger Mereseini Saliucu, plus solo efforts from centre Reapi Savui and Veniasi Lumuka.
Former Fiji Soccer rep Sereana Naweni slotted in a penalty goal midway through the second half to give Ba a handy 30-12 lead, but Suva then showed their experience.
Taking advantage of two yellow cards against Ba within a minute, the large Suva forwards crashed through the Ba defence at regular intervals to narrow the gap.
Ba struggled to hold on, whilst butchering two near-certain tries of their own, and conceded twice in the closing two minutes to give Suva the win after the hooter.
“I’m so proud of these young players,” head coach Sitiveni Kuruvitu said.
“Everything has been stacked against us these past few weeks, but the girls played with such confidence and calmness.”
“To come to Suva, who have long-been a powerhouse in women’s rugby, and dominate some areas of play is a great achievement for our team.”
“We picked up two bonus points and can now look forward to the visit to Ba of Tailevu next week in the knowledge that we can compete at this level.”
The Fiji Pine U20’s suffered a similar heartbreak, conceding the winning try to their hosts after the hooter as Suva edged the game 24-21.
Suva had led 19-0 after half an hour, but the Penaia Cokomata-coached side found their rhythm and picked up three converted tries to lead 21-19 after 80 minutes.
Suva centre Joji Lutumailagi came strong when his side needed him and dived over for the winning score.
In the main Skipper Cup match, Vinod Patel Ba made a vast improvement over the last two encounters with Suva, but fell just short 26-28 when the last gasp conversion attempt sailed a metre wide.
Suva had jumped to an early 15-0 lead but Ba stayed close.
Tries in the final stages to replacement fullback Viliame Cama and wing Solo Druku brought Ba to the verge of their first-ever win over the Capitals, but Joseva Nokelevu couldn’t quite curl in his conversion.
So, Suva have started their campaigns with narrow wins in all three categories, but the efforts from the Ba teams will surely be recognised and built on.
Next Saturday, we can expect a bumper crowd for Tailevu’s visit to 4R Stadium, Govind Park. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for children aged 5-11.
