Late scare, Stallions survive
Visitors Lautoka gave defending Skipper Cup champions BLK Nadroga a tough time before bowing out 40-31 at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka yesterday. What happened: Nadroga dominated in the first half and never allowed the Maroons to settle down. Winger Aporosa Tabulawaki scored their first try in the 10th minute as they led 5-0. Lautoka tried hard to hit back but were not able to do so as Nadroga increased their lead through a try to prop Penijamini Makutu and converted by first five eight Necani Uluivuda. Poor ball handling by Lautoka proved costly as it allowed Nadroga fullback Isaia Nataba to score a try, which Uluivuda converted for a 19-0 lead. Nadroga piled on the pressure and their No.8 Eremasi Radrodro ran in another try with the conversion successful. This was followed by a Joeli Lutumailagi classic try as they led 33-0 at half time. With strong words spoken during the break saw a fired up Lautoka take the field. They hit back through a try to lock Timoci Vuadreu with Sisa Saukawa’s conversion going over. Lautoka hooker Atunaisa Uluimoala scored soon after that with Saukawa converting it to narrow the deficit 33-14. The Stallions had a try disallowed after there was a high tackle during the run of play but Lautoka kept up the tempo as Peniasi Lasaqa kicked over a penalty. The Stallions replied with a Aporosa Tubuiawaki try as Uluivuda added the extra points to make it 40-17. The match became scrappy and Vuadreu scored two more tires, which were converted to leave the final score at 40-31. Comments
says, despite the win he was not happy with their performance especially in the second half. “We scored on try in the second half and I think we were a bit lazy on that. But for now we are going to focus on our game against Malolo next week.”
praised his players for putting on a great game. “We did well looking at how we came up, that just shows the kind of character we have now. “We now have experienced players in the team and we will just go back and regroup and prepare for next week.” Edited by Leone Cabenatabua