THE RC Manubhai Suva side has maintained its unbeaten run in the Skipper Cup competition after a come from behind 22-21 victory against an ill disciplined Naitasiri side in wet conditions at the Bidesi Grounds in Suva yesterday.
The Capital City side showed a lot of fighting spirit after trailing 15-0 after 30 minutes in the first half.
Naitasiri opened the scoring in the 13th minute after Kini Douglas converted a penalty kick for a 3-0 lead. Suva was caught on the backfoot from that restart after failing to diffuse a high kick allowing Naitasiri fullback Kekima Nagodra to score in the corner. Douglas converted the conversion for a 10-0 after 15 minutes.
Suva failed to gain any ascending in the game and they were further punished an open play kick through allowed winger Nasoni Roko to gather the grabber kick and score in the corner to extend Naitasiri’s lead to 15-0 after 21 minutes.
It took Suva nearly half an hour to register their first points though with a try to Tanoa Damu with Jaoji Dakuvula converting the try to cut the lead to 15-7.
Naitasiri was dealt a major blow when winger Ilisoni Tavaiqia was sin binned for a dangerous tackle.
Naitaisri lead 15-7 at halftime.
Suva started the second half strongly and were rewarded with a penalty try after Naitasiri lock Necani Nawaqadau was deemed to have slowed the ball down at the breakdown. Suva cut the lead to 15-14.
But Natasiri were soon further in front in the 52nd minute after Douglas kicked a penalty -or a 18-14 lead.
Taking advantage of the numbers Suva dominated play and was rewarded in the 54th minute scoring their third try through winger Nacani Wakaya from a scrum. Suva led 19-18.
Suva extended their lead via a penalty kick from Serupepeli Vularika for a 22-18 lead before Naitasiri closed the gap to 22-21 from a penalty kick of their own from Lote Raratabu.
Suva’s nerves were tested when flyhalf Ratu Meli Kurusaru was sin-binned for a professional foul with few minutes remaining but Suva’s defence held firm denying Naitasiri’s attacking raids.
Raratabu had a chance to give Naitasiri victory on the last play but his penalty kick from right in front sailed wide handing Suva a hard fought 22-21 win.
After the match Suva Coach Salimoni Ravouvou said his was really impressed how his boys came back to win the game.
“We started slowly but my boys really fought back and showed a lot of spirit against a very good Naitasiri side,”
“But we made a lot of mistakes in the first half and we let them score early.”
Naitasiri coach Jojio Rinakama said ill discipline cost the side victory.
“Our discipline really let us down today. We still have to work on our discipline if we want to finish in the top four,” Rinakama said.
