A LAST minute drop goal earned the Pacific Energy Kinoya Sea Eagles side a hard fought 13-12 victory over the Makoi Bulldogs in the Vodafone Top 8 rugby league competition at Buckhurst Grounds in Suva yesterday.
Richard Bron was the hero for the Kinoya side as he slotted home the decisive kick in front of the Makoi goalpost.
Bulldogs applied early pressure but it was Kinoya who opened the scoring in the 20th minute under the posts through Aborosio Cakau. Cakau converted his own try with Kinoya leading 6-0.
A penalty awarded in Kinoya half allowed Makoi to register their first points through Akuila Senibici who scored levelling the scores 6-6 in the 30th minute.
Three consecutive penalties given away by the Kinoya side gave Makoi a good field position with Senibici dotting down for his second try from dummy half just before half-time.
Makoi lead 10-6 at half time.
Second half saw a rejuvenated Kinoya side muscling up in defence with their hard work rewarded in the 52nd minute with Nemani Tulele crashing over from close range. Cakau converting the try for a 12-10 lead.
Makoi levelled the scores through a penalty only for their hearts to be broken by the last-minute heroics by Richard Bron.
After the match Kinoya head coach Isimeli Soqe said the win tested the team’s fighting spirit.
“I am happy how the boys responded after falling behind in the first half,” Soqe said.
“The performance has showed that we can compete in the top eight.
“Our aim now is to maintain this momentum as we go further in the competition.”
