NAMOSI dug deep into their reserves to survive a Tailevu fightback and snatch a dramatic 30-27 victory in their Subrails Marama Cup quarter-final after extra time yesterday at the HFC Bank Stadium.
The defending champions were given a serious shake-up by a fired-up Tailevu outfit, which went into halftime holding a 14-10 lead and had Namosi chasing the game.
However, Namosi refused to throw in the towel. They fought their way back into the contest, trading blows with Tailevu in a gripping second half that had little separating the two sides.
The scores were locked at 17-17, 22-22 and 27-27 by the end of regulation time, leaving neither team able to land the knockout punch.
With a semi-final berth on the line, extra time brought another test of nerve. Namosi eventually found their opening and earned a penalty that proved decisive, sealing a hard-fought 30-27 victory.
The result also gave Namosi some sweet revenge after Tailevu beat them 38-29 in their Round 10 meeting on October 3.
Namosi team manager Etonia Taivoce praised Tailevu for making the champions work for every point, acknowledging the quality of the opposition and the battles between the two sides.
“We thank Tailevu for their strong performance today and the past games we had with them,” Taivoce said.
While Namosi carry the Marama Cup crown, Taivoce knows there is no room for complacency as the knockout rounds heat up.
“True, we hold the Marama Cup, however we do not underestimate any team, and we are looking forward to a tough contest in the remaining games,” he said.
However, the hard-earned victory also came with lessons. Three yellow cards added to Namosi’s troubles in a match where discipline was crucial, and the team manager said individual weaknesses would be identified before the semi-finals.
“We advised the girls that we will identify their individual weaknesses and will look to improve in the upcoming semi-finals,” he said.
Namosi have shown they can handle the heat when the pressure is on, and yesterday’s hard-fought win will give the champions plenty of confidence heading into the semi-finals as they continue their march towards another Subrail Marama Cup.
In other Subrails Marama Cup quarter-final results:
Nadi 38-26 Nadroga; Suva 36-15 Macuata; Nasinu 36-26 Kadavu.
Tailevu’s Vani Divasu jumps over a Namosi defender during the Subrails Marama Cup quarter-finals at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday. INSET: Namosi’s Roela Koroimarama runs straight at the Tailevu defence. Pictures: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
