THE Kaiviti Silktails suffered their nine consecutive defeat in the Jersey Flegg Cup competition after they were thrashed 56-8 by the Canberra Raiders at Prince Charles Park in Nadi yesterday.
The Raiders, who sit at the top of the table with 16 points, ran in 11 tries with winger Kane Rushton scoring four.
The Lautoka-based Silktails had no answer to the onslaught as the Raiders showed slick passing and a strong attack play.
The Silktails lacked coordination in their defence with missed tackles leading to tries.
Tries to winger Atini Tuialii, Rushton, centre Regan Carr and Mitchell Prest saw the visitors lead to 20-0 before the Wes Naiqama-coached home side found their rhythm and scored two late first half tires to Emosi Daubitu and Gabriel Daunivucu.
The second spell was all Raiders as they upped the tempo of the match to score 36 unanswered points. Tries to Raiders scrum-half Jaxen Yow, Carr, replacement player Bailey Sassall, a hat-trick to Rushton, and Shaun Packer crushed the Silktails.
Raiders head coach Jordan Macey said his boys stepped up in the second half and he was proud of their efforts.
“They (Silktails) were awesome in the first half, they really stuck to us and played really good footy. Our boys came out in the second half and were really professional.”
Naiqama said we they started the match well and hoped they would replicate it in the second half.
“We made some really crucial errors and we knew coming to this competition it will be tough,” he said.
Naiqama said it was not about the win and loses for his young side but about the performance.
“We know we got a young squad but in regards to effort, the boys give their all in training and in the matches. It is about nurturing these boys and guiding them through this first season,” added Naiqama.
