TAILEVU and defending champions Malolo traded blows for 80 minutes before vice-captain Kini Douglas had the final say, slotting a late penalty to secure an 18-all draw in Round 10 of the Skipper Cup at Nakelo District School grounds last Saturday.
Douglas kept his composure from the kicking tee, splitting the uprights to bring Tailevu into a full-time deadlock.
The contest was a physical battle from the outset, with both teams committing heavily at the breakdown and testing each other through the set piece.
Malolo held firm under pressure in the closing stages, but Tailevu refused to let the result slip away, earning the penalty that gave Douglas the opportunity to level the scores.
Malolo’s No. 8 Saliceni Rasei said they would take plenty from the contest as they turn their attention to the next round.
“It wasn’t the performance we expected from ourselves today (Saturday), but we will take the lessons from this game and move forward,” Rasei said.
Malolo face Naitasiri this weekend, in a fixture evoking memories of last year’s Skipper Cup final.
“We are now looking forward to playing Naitasiri in the next round,” Rasei said.
“We know it will be a tough competition because both teams met in last year’s final.
“We know they will come with a strong challenge, so we have to prepare well and be ready for another tough game.”
However for Tailevu, the late comeback provides a lift as it prepares for its next assignment against Taveuni.
Tailevu team official Akariva Ratumaitavuki said the contest gave his players valuable lessons as they continue their campaign.
Tailevu leaves for Taveuni tomorrow, with Ratumaitavuki saying the team remains focused on the targets set at the start of the season.
“Our goal is to win the Skipper and the Farebrother. That is the goal we set at the beginning of the year. We will work towards that goal and we will achieve it,” he said.
