SUVA, NADRO REMATCH

With Suva’s 37-12 Skipper Cup victory over Namosi yesterday, they have boosted their chances against Nadroga, whom they will face on September 12

The Navosa side have to improve on their set pieces before they face Malolo in the Vodafone Vanua Championship.

This was after a scrappy 20-15 win over Serua at Thomson Park, Navua on Friday

Speaking to SUNsports Navosa Rugby Union president Tevita Batikolikoli said the team have a lot to improve on. “It was a hard fought victory for us,” he said.

“It was a tough match with a lot of learnings for us as a team. We will return to training next week and work on our set pieces before we take on Malolo.”

Batikolikoli said they made a lot of silly mistakes in the first half.

“We will have to discuss it and make sure we don’t repeat the same mistakes. The boys were reminded to watch their discipline because we had a few yellow cards.”

What happened: Navosa started strongly and scored an early try to openside flanker Sireli Daivalu in the 7th minute that was converted by Necani Uluivuda for a 7-0 lead.

Serua replied with a try in the 14th minute to lock Taubale Temo with Rusiate Rokotavu converting the try to tie the game 7-7.

Quick play and execution from the Navosa backline earned them a penalty in the 19th minute, which was converted by Uluivuda for a 10-7 lead.

Indiscipline from Navosa saw them penalised with Rokotavu kicking over the penalty to level the scores.

Halftime: Serua 10-10 Navosa

Host Serua came out firing and camped on the Navosa tryline. They failed to break the strong defence and fumbled the ball on the tryline.

From a counter attack, Navosa prop Aporosa Tabuanivalu crashed over for try in the 50th minute as they regained the lead 15-10.

Navosa opened the game with their running rugby and this took the wind out of the heavier Serua players.

In the 75th minute Navosa prop Kilione Tabakau strolled in their third try with the conversion missing for a 20-10 lead.

Backed by their vocal fans Serua came back fighting with Rokotavu scoring a consolation try.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Suva‘s Meli Derenalagi on his way to score a try against Namosi during the Skipper Cup competition at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on September 5, 2020.

Photo: Simione Haravanua Serua lock forward Taubale Temo takes a two-handed catch against Navosa during the Vodafone Vanua Championship clash at Thomson Park, Navua, on September 4, 2020.