The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua held off a determined Western Force outfit to claim a narrow 24-22 victory in their Round 9 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at Churchill Park yesterday.
The hosts endured a shaky start, struggling with handling errors in the opening five minutes which allowed the Force to apply pressure early. Matters worsened when Etonia Waqa was shown a yellow card for obstruction as the visitors surged forward.
The Force capitalised soon after, opting for a lineout five metres from the Drua tryline. A well-organised rolling maul saw Misinale Epenisa cross over for the opening try, with Ben Donaldson adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
The Drua, however, regrouped and found their rhythm midway through the first half. In the 20th minute, a well-worked set-piece play paid off when a lineout throw over the back found Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, who carried strongly before the ball was shifted wide through Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.
After several phases, debutant Isikeli Basiyalo was stopped just short before Motikiai Murray kept the movement alive, eventually releasing Penaia Cakobau to score. Armstrong-Ravula converted to level the scores.
The home side began to dominate proceedings, and in the 30th minute their backline struck again. Armstrong-Ravula sliced through to score under the posts and converted his own try to give the Drua a 14-7 lead.
Just four minutes later, the Lautoka crowd was treated to a classic Fijian try. A break from Virimi Vakatawa set the platform before Isikeli Rabitu finished off the move. Although Armstrong-Ravula missed the conversion, the Drua extended their lead to 19-7 at halftime.
The Force came out firing in the second spell, with winger Dylan Pietsch crossing for their second try to close the gap.
They continued to apply pressure, and in the 58th minute a tactical kick from Kurtley Beale found touch inside the Drua 22. From the ensuing play, captain Jeremy Williams crashed over for their third try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
The Drua responded almost immediately. In the 60th minute, Nadroga native and debutant Isikeli Basiyalo powered over for his side’s fourth try. Armstrong-Ravula was again off target with the boot, but the Drua held a 24-17 advantage.
Tensions rose in the final quarter when Ilaisa Droasese was sent to the sin bin in the 69th minute for foul play, giving the Force another opportunity.
They took advantage in the 71st minute, with Will Harris scoring their fourth try. Beale, however, missed the crucial conversion, leaving the score at 24-22.
The visitors had one final chance to snatch victory in the 77th minute after being awarded a penalty, but the attempt sailed wide, allowing the Drua to hang on for a hard-fought win in front of their home fans.
