Lautoka guns for victory

We set our goal for this year which is to be in the top six and that goal has not changed. The target is there and we are working towards it

– Sefanaia Scholte

THE Lautoka rugby team is gunning for a win against Nadi in the Skipper Cup at Prince Charles Park tomorrow to maintain a top six ranking in the competition.

The Maroons regained promotion this year to the Skipper Cup competition after a lapse of three years after defeating Nanukuloa 17-7 in the Vodafone Vanua Championship semi-final last year.

The side was demoted to second tier competition at the end of 2016 after a poor season.

With four more rounds of matches remaining in the ongoing competition, the fight for survival is between Nadi, Lautoka, Tailevu and Yasawa.

The two bottom placed teams in the Skipper Cup will be demoted automatically to the Vanua Championship while the two top teams from the Vanua Championship will gain promotion to the top flight.

Lautoka Rugby Union media liaison officer Sefanaia Scholte said they fought hard for three years to get back in the Skipper Cup and did not want that effort to go in vain.

Scholte said the players had regrouped and reset their focus for the next challenge against Nadi after defeating Yasawa 24-10 last week.

“We are trying to maintain our status in the top flight,” he said.

“We set our goal for this year which is to be in the top six and that goal has not changed. The target is there and we are working towards it.

“We have identified some mistakes from the last game against Yasawa and the boys have been rectifying that during the training sessions this week.

“We need better ball control when in possession and reduce the penalty count.”

Lautoka last won the top flight title in 2003 which was then known as the Telecom Cup.

The side also ended that year with the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy.

Skipper Cup Points: Suva 39, Naitasiri 32, Nadroga 30, Namosi 29, Nadi 21, Lautoka 18, Tailevu 16, Yasawa 6.