Tailevu survived a valiant fightback from Cakaudrove in Fiji Rugby’s women’s promotion/relegation game to keep one leg firmly in the ANZ Marama Championship.
A last minute try by lock forward Asenate Radinikoro saw Tailevu clinch a 37-34 win at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori yesterday.
The Samisoni Baikeitoga-coached side was in a comfortable 22-12 lead from the first half but a lapse of concentration coupled by Cakaudrove’s free-flowing off-load game rattled their defence.
Both sides scored two tries each in the early minutes of the second spell with the hosts holding on to 32-22 lead.
“Salute to the girls for working hard. Playing at this level, I told them to work really hard and dig deep to stay in the Marama Championship,” Tailevu head coach Baikeitoga stated.
“It’s not easy going to the Ranadi Championship because of the expenses. The girls worked on the game plan, played to our strengths and we came away with the win.”
As the match headed to its climax, the visiting Cakaudrove side scored two tries to take the lead 34-32 for the first time in the match.
However, in their rush they scrambled the ball and Tailevu pounced on the mistake to claim the winner.
“Our style of play over the season has been catch up rugby and we are trying to avoid that. In the second half our discipline was in question, we made some errors and the day wasn’t ours,” Cakaudrove coach Ana Seru said.
Tailevu will battle Kadavu next week while Cakaudrove meets Navosa.
