NAITASIRI Women’s rugby side fought back from a 21-point halftime deficit to hold Ba Women to a thrilling 26-all draw in another round of the Subrails Marama Cup at the 4R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba yesterday.
Ba dominated the opening half and produced an entertaining display, scoring four tries to take a commanding 26-5 lead into the break.
Losalini Neivua opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Sereima Nauci crossed for Ba’s second try in the 25th minute.
Mere Ilisoni then added two tries in the 35th and 39th minutes, while Reapi Savui successfully converted three of
Ba’s four tries.
Naitasiri’s only try of the first half came from Paulini Lewatai in the 19th minute, with the conversion unsuccessful.
However, Naitasiri returned from the break with renewed intensity and completely changed the momentum of the match.
The Naitasiri women kept Ba scoreless in the second half while adding 21 unanswered points to level the scores at full time.
Keresi Raikele, Eleni Kinikini and Eseta Vecenaiwaca scored Naitasiri’s three second-half tries, while Mereoni Kanadroka successfully converted all three.
With both sides unable to break the deadlock in the closing stages, the match ended 26-all.
Ba’s Mereilisoni Matalau pushes through the Naitasiri defence in their Subrails Marama Cup match in Ba yesterday.Picture: REINAL CHAND
