SUVA’S rise to the top of the Subrails Marama Championship has turned an early-season setback into a renewed push for another title.
The capital side strengthened its position at the top of the standings with a 39–22 victory over Macuata at Subrail Park last Saturday.
The Round 10 win lifted Suva to 45 points and extended its winning streak to seven matches, giving the side strong momentum as the championship moves into its final rounds.
That run is a strong response to Suva’s only defeat of the season.
Nadi ended Suva’s unbeaten start with a 32–24 victory in Round Three, but the capital side has not lost since, putting together wins over Naitasiri, Kadavu, Lautoka, Namosi, Rewa, Nadroga and Tailevu.
Captain Luisa Tisolo said the team has remained focused on giving every opponent the same level of respect.
“I reminded the girls never to underestimate any team and treat every match as their final,” Tisolo said.
That approach was put to the test in Round Eight when Suva faced defending champions Namosi.
Namosi entered the match unbeaten and leading the competition, but Suva produced a 36–24 victory to hand the defending champions their first defeat of the season.
The result showed Suva could match the teams around it at the top of the standings, while the win over Macuata last Saturday kept its momentum going.
Head coach Meli Tuifagalele said the emergence of younger players had also helped the side maintain its form.
“There are a lot of young players who have stepped up this season for us,” Tuifagalele said.
Suva now sits three points clear of Nadi, which remains the only team to have beaten the leaders this season.
That leaves little room for error as the championship race enters its decisive stage.
Suva’s next challenge comes against Nasinu at Uprising Grounds in Pacific Harbour at 1pm on Saturday.
