Stallions Boot Suva Out
Defending Skipper Cup champions BLK Nadroga are on track after they beat Suva 35-12 in their semifinal clash at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka yesterday.
The Stallions started strongly as they pressured the Suva defence. In the third minute veteran prop Setefano Somoca bulldozed his way over to score the first try with Nacebe adding the extras with a 7-0 lead. Nacebe extended the lead to 10-0 with a penalty in the 8th minute.
Suva struck in the 12th minute when Mosese Tikoduadua slotted in their first penalty. But Nacebe made it 13-3 with a penalty in the 15th minute. Nadroga made mistakes and allowed Suva back into the game as Tikoduadua kicked in two penalties to bring the scores to 13-9.
This woke up the hosts as their experienced players of Somoca, Eremasi Radrodro and captain, Manoa Tamaya took control as they penetrated the Suva defensive and in the 28th minute they scored their second try to Alivereti Bure, which was not converted.
Nadroga 18-9 Suva Tikoduadua narrowed the deficit to 18-12 with a penalty in the 42nd minute. It was all Nadroga from here on as they scored tries to Nacebe, Sailosi Dawai and Aporosa Tabulawaki.
Nacebe played an instrumental role with his field vision and decision making, which saw him score 15 points from a try, two conversions and two penalties.
Nadroga prop Somoca said: “We dedicate this win to our coach Franck Boivert who is celebrating his birthday today. Also to our head coach Esala Nauga who celebrated his birthday two days ago.
“Suva gave us a good game and now we’re looking forward to an exciting final as we will march in and try to defend our title But we know it will not be an easy match.” Suva head coach Saiasi Fuli said: “We played against a better team. They played with the will to win and we just lost our composure. We trained well and we thought we were up for the challenge but we just lost the momentum.”