MCDONALD’S Nadi has put itself firmly in the Subrails Marama Championship title race, but captain Laisa Seru knows there is little room for another slow start as the season enters its decisive stages.
Nadi strengthened its position with a 41–24 victory over Naitasiri in Round 10 at Ratu Cakobau Park last Saturday, recovering from an unsettled opening to pull away and secure a valuable 17-point win.
The result keeps Nadi second on the points table with 43 points, just two behind leaders Suva on 45 after 10 rounds.
But rather than the final margin, it was Nadi’s response to pressure that pleased Seru.
The captain admitted her side struggled to find its rhythm early with periods of indiscipline and miscommunication allowing Naitasiri to remain within striking distance.
“We were a bit indisciplined at certain times, but we managed to get the message out to keep our discipline until the very last minute,” Seru said.
“A few miscommunications in the first half. I thought we didn’t settle well. We dropped a few balls.” With the match threatening to become a test of patience, Nadi found the response it needed after halftime. “We told the girls the team that wants it most will come away with the win,” Seru said. The victory was particularly important after Nadi’s previous match against Namosi ended in a default, leaving Saturday’s fixture as a more meaningful test of its ability against opposition on the court. Seru said the team had prepared well but knew it needed to lift its standards during the match.
That run begins in round 11 with FMF Rewa this Friday at King Charles Park at 11am.
In other fixtures: Macuata vs Tailevu at Subrail Park at 1pm on Friday; Namosi vs Naitasiri at Uprising Grounds at 11am on Saturday; Nasinu vs Suva at Uprising Grounds at 1pm on Saturday; Nadroga vs Kadavu at Lawaqa Park st 11am on Saturday; Ba vs Lautoka at 4R Electrical Govind Park at 1pm on Saturday.
