Tailevu, Nadi battle to a draw in Nausori

Nadi could not keep the momentum after settling for 13-13 draw against Tailevu at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori yesterday.

Despite defeating Farebrother Sullivan Trophy champion Namosi last week, indiscipline proved costly for the jetsetters in the Skipper Cup Premiership round seven match.

Nadi manager Samuela Nava said they lost too many possession. “Two yellow cards disrupted our game plan.

“We came for a win but our execution was below par,”he said. “Tailevu’s a very good team, we did not underestimate them.

“We improved on our scrums and one of our strengths was our lineouts. We are trying to achieve our goal by staying in this competition in 2021.”

What happened: Both teams started strongly with Nadi’s first five -eighth, Navitalai Tuilawa kicking a penalty in the 1st minute.

Tailevu replied in the 3rd minute scoring the first try to halfback Simione Kuruvoli.

Halftime: Tailevu 5-3 Nadi

Nadi scored their first try in the 30th minute, having an advantage of 14 Tailevu players after wing, Josevani Drava was sin binned.

Successfully converted by first five eighth Tuilawa, they led 10 - 5.

Errors from the visitors, gave away penalties for Tailevu, Kuruvoli converted one penalty from three.

With the substitutes going in at second half, both teams were tight on their defences.

Despite having 14 men Nadi side for 10 minutes, the host could not cross their try line in the first 20 minutes.

The visitors extended their lead, 13 - 10, through a drop goal by first,

Tuilawa, in the 25th minute. Another yellow card to Nadi’s try scorer, Apisai Nagi gave the host an advantage.

Tailevu leveled the scores scoring their second try by Osea Sevu, both teams tied at 13 as the conversion was unsucessful.

Nadi sppedster Vilikesa Driu was closely marked.

Nadi fullback, Isoa Donaldson, did not convert their penalty in the last minute. Full time: 13-13.

Line-up Tailevu:

Noa Bula, Akilio Ratusila, Saula Naivakadranu, Joseph Magola, Eparama Sucumainalawa,

Raduva Saumaka, Timoci Vunimoko, Vetaia Tiko, Simi Kuruvoli, Seru Vaniqi, Josevani Drava, Marika Rasowaki, Lemeki Junior, Viliame Kanatabua, Osea Qamasea.

Nadi: Kenneth Delai, Veremalau Vugakoto, Simione Tora, Aporosa Saukuru, Samu Saqiwa, Jolame Luvevou, Vilive Miramira, Apisai Nagi, Anasa Gary, Navi Tuilawa, Vilikesa Driu, Vilive Aria, Serupepeli Turuva, Samuela Toga, Isoa Donaldson.