FLYING Fijian lock Peceli Yato helped extend his team, USA Perpignan’s run in the French Top 14 competition for another season, yesterday.
Yato scored two tries which added to the resounding 47-24 win against Provence and what turned out to be the main factor keeping his team in the tier-one competition.
The win for Yato’s team, Perpignan, means Provence will not be promoted to the Top 14 for another season.
Both sides played in the Top 14’s promotion or relegation access match since they were the bottom two teams on the table this season.
Yato stamped the ball in the 35th and 49th minute of play.
A try he made was possible through an intercept he caught between Provence players handling the ball from the ruck, passed on to another player but caught by Yato instead as he dashed for the try-line.
Match commentators remarked the move by the “big Fijian from Sigatoka” was “devastating for Provence Rugby.”
Meanwhile, Provence winger Setareki Bituniyata scored one try in the 73rd minute but copped a yellow card shortly after the second half began.
Provence put up a solid fight against their opponents, stacked with its own share of defence and attack systems, along with Fijian players Setareki Bituniyata, Albert Tuisue and Caleb Muntz.
Other matches
As Yato helped Perpignan remain in the Top 14, Fijian flair was rampant in other matches staged yesterday and over the weekend.
In the Top 14 quarter-final, Stade Francais thrashed La Rochelle 45-5 yesterday.
Stade Francais, home to Fijian players Peniasi Dakuwaqa and Setareki Turagacoke, held off any attempts by their hosts, even as La Rochelle player and Flying Fijian Levani Botia scored an unconverted try in the 49th minute and Semi Lagivala in the 69th.
In another quarter-final, Racing 92 beat Pau 33-31 in a closely-contested encounter on their home turf.
This Saturday, Toulouse and Racing 92 meet in the first semi-final at 7.05am, while Montpellier meets Stade Francais on Sunday at 7.05am.
