Northland rules Tailevu rugby battle
IT was a tough battle between the two teams from the province of Tailevu but Northland proved themselves with a 16-11 win against hosts Tailevu in the second round of the Skipper Cup competition.
Northland scored the first points of the game through a penalty to Jovilisi Taraka to lead 3-0.
A yellow card was given to Tailevu outside centre Lemeki Jr for a dangerous tackle. With that penalty Taraka again was successful with his kick to give his side a 6-0 lead.
Another yellow card was given to Tailevus’s Raduva Saumaki and also another yellow card to Mosese Sigarara of Northland for dangerous tackle.
Few minutes before the game ended a red card was given to Tailevu’s Serupepeli Waqalevu for tip tackle which led to the young player in tears after leaving the field.
The first half ended with a 6-0 lead to Northland.
Few minutes in to second half the yellow and green machine Tailevu scored their lone try by Paula Nayacakalou but the conversion from Maika Baleinaloto was unsuccessful as they closed the gap to 5-6.
They kept fighting back and a penalty to fullback Baleinaloto saw them in the lead 8-6.
Both teams had recorded their first loss last weekend and they both wanted this win.
Another Baleinaloto penalty increased Tailevu’s score to 11-6.
But the visiting team didn’t want to back down as they fought back with a try to Jona Navori and the conversion from Tarara was a success, pushing the points to 13-11.
Both fought hard as their supporters cheered for them but it all came down to the final penalty kick to Northland’s Mosese Sigarara to the end the second half.
Northland coach Aisake Katonibau thanked his men for showing resilience in the 80 minute-game.
Meanwhile Seremaia Bai was disappointed with his players performance and he thought they could have done better.