FORMER Flying Fijian hooker Viliame Veikoso scored a brace of tries to help the Suva rugby side record a bonus point 33-29 victory over Vatukoula yesterday at Albert Park.
The win has also secured the RC Manubhai-sponsored Capital City side a berth in the Skipper Cup semi-finals as they remain on fourth place on the points table.
Suva’s other tries were scored by Jolame Bera, Necani Wakaya and the hosts were also awarded a penalty try while fly half Serupepeli Vularika kicked four conversions. He was red carded late in the second half.
Manasa Saulo, John Stewart, Jeremaia Tokamalua, and Waisale Vatuvoka of Suva were yellow carded in the match.
Vatukoula gave the Capital City side a run for their money and almost denied the hosts a spot in the semi-finals.
The visitor’s tries were scored by Alifereti Veitokani, Jese Robuli Rinakama, Apenisa Rokosuka and Manoa Natorogia.
Veitokani, who was also yellow carded, kicked three conversions and one penalty during his time on the field.
Suva coach Salimoni Ravouvou said he was not happy despite the win as the players struggled on the field because of their own actions.
“I was disappointed with the win because we had to struggle to earn the bonus point win,” he said.
“Some of the decisions made by the players on the field didn’t work out for us and it just frustrated the players.
“So their indiscipline and yellow cards were a result of their own actions.”
He said they had a few areas to improve on before they play in the semi-final.
Vatukoula coach Senirusi Seruvakula praised his players for their performance but said individual performance let them down.
“The players did well in the match and gave Suva a tough time on the field,” he said.
“But it was just individual play that let us down and we failed to score tries from the time we spent in the Suva green zone.”
