Nadi has avenged their Farebrother Trophy challenge loss to Lautoka after they beat them by 19-12 in the Skipper Cup quarter final clash at the Prince Charles Park in Nadi yesterday.
The Jetsetters took the lead in the 17th minute, with a try to winger Semi Kaisau as they led 5-0.
Minutes later, the Maroons scored a converted try to winger Inoke Tawai to take a slender 7-5 lead.
Kaisau got his brace minutes later as Nadi led 12-7 going into the break.
Throughout the match, both sides displayed hard-hitting physical battle in the front rows, particularly with the Maroons forward pack keeping them alive in the match.
A breakthrough in the 55th minute saw the Maroons charging towards the Nadi try line, only to be denied by a strong Nadi defence.
Shortly after Lautoka retained the possession and a rolling maul resulting from a dominant scrum saw lock Agavito Sauvakarua dive over for a try, leveling the scores at 12-all.
However, after the Maroons were unable to penetrate the Nadi’s try line despite their numerous attempts, the momentum shifted in Nadi’s favour as they scored through Peni Malumu, with Motuisela Tawake’s successful conversion putting them ahead by 19-12.
The Jetsetters defence stood like a brick wall in the last seven minutes to advance through to the semi-finals.
Nadi coach Laitia Seru congratulated the boys for their efforts.
“We worked really hard in the last four weeks as we knew Lautoka is a good team but the boys got the job done.
“We will regroup and go back and see where we fell short and do our analysis where are our weaknesses and work our way from there.”
Lautoka coach Peniona Ranitu credited his brigade for displaying a good rugby for the Maroons fans.
“It is always tough when we play Nadi on their home turf.
“We came up with a plan because last time we defeated them in Farebrother Trophy but we fell short.”
