THE NewWorld IGA Ba Women’s side got their first win of the season after defeating McDonald’s Nadi Women 36-34 in Round 7 of the Subrails Marama Cup competition at Prince Charles in Nadi on Saturday.
Ba Women manager Lilieta Vueti believes the inclusion of football players and the return of experienced members of last year’s squad can help build a stronger team in the Subrails Marama Cup competition.
Vueti, in her first year managing the side, said Ba has had to rebuild after several players moved to Yasawa Women.
However, the return of some familiar faces has provided an important boost to the team.
“Most of them have gone to Yasawa Women, but we were lucky to have some of those girls coming back to us,” Vueti said.
She expressed her gratitude to the returning players as well as those who have remained with the team and contributed to its development.
Ba has also looked to its football fraternity for additional talent, with several players from the Ba football team joining the rugby side.
One of the footballers featured prominently in the match, taking on the kicking duties and narrowly missing only one attempt.
Vueti said the addition of the footballers has given the team another option while helping strengthen its playing group.
The changes come as Ba continues its push up the Subrails Marama Cup standings.
The side was sitting 11th after Round Five before moving up to 10th following Round Six.
Its latest victory was the team’s first of the season, giving the players renewed confidence heading into the next rounds.
However, Vueti says the team cannot afford to become complacent.
She wants the players to improve their attendance at training and develop greater unity as they prepare for a difficult Round Eight encounter against Naitasiri Women.
“Naitasiri is a very strong team too,” she said.
