Top guns race on SECURITY FORCES TEAMS TO BATTLE IN SEMI-FINALS

IT will be a battle of the forces in the semi-finals of the 2023 McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s tournament at Sigatoka’s Lawaqa Park today. Fire, Wardens, Army and Police are the last four teams in contention to win the title this year.

In the quarter-finals, under wet and slippery conditions yesterday afternoon, Fire came out strong against a spirited Wadigi Salvo side which was led by Napolioni Bolaca. Fire won 24-7.

In other quarterfinals in the men’s division, Wardens edged Uluinakau 5-nil, Army beat Pacific Nomads 31nil while defending champion Police overcame Raiwasa Taveuni 12-5.

In the men’s semis today, Fire will take on Wardens at 2.20pm while Police play Army at 2.40pm.

Dominion Brothers, 2020 finalist, remain on track to win the Youth division title this year after edging Ba River 14-10 in the Cup quarters. In other Cup quarters, the Fiji U20 side beat a clinical King 7s Select side 17-5, Australian Schoolboys beat Japan U18 22-12 while Mamaqa Grassroots were humbled by PSM Aflame Brothers 22nil.

In the semis today, Dominion Brothers will play Fiji U20 at 1.40pm while at 2pm, PSM Aflame Brothers take on Australian Schoolboys.

In the women’s competition, Australia A and Seahawks look good to make the final as they finished the pool stages undefeated.

In the semi-finals today, Australia A will take on Navosa at 1pm while the second semi-final will be played between Seahawks and Tabu Soro Angels at 1.20pm.

In the last round of pool games played yesterday, Seahawks beat Police 19-nil, Australia A thumped Nadraki Lilian Amazons 45-nil, Army beat Tagimoucia Ranadi 19-nil while Navosa edged Stingrays 7-5.

Ten teams are taking part in the women’s competition this year that was divided into two pools.

Today’s fixture

 Men’s semis: 2.20pm Fire-Wardens; 2.40pm Army-Police  Youth semis: 1.40pm Dominion Brothers – Fiji U20; 2pm Australian Schoolboys - PSM Aflame Brothers  Women’s semis: 1pm Australia A – Navosa; 1.20pm Seahawks – Tabu Soro Angels

 Quarter-final results:  Men’s division: Fire 24-7 Wadigi Salvos; Wardens 5-0 Uluinakau; Army 31-nil Pacific Nomads; Police 12-5 Raiwasa Taveuni  Youth division: Ba River 10-14 Dominion Brothers; Fiji U20 17-5 King 7s Select; Australian Schoolboys 2212 Japan U18; Mamaqa Grassroots 0-22 PSM Aflame Brothers

Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU Louisa Tubailagi, right, of Seahawks is tackled by Savusavu’s Sofi Diyalowai in the women’s competition of the McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s tournament at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka yesterday. The former St Joseph’s Secondary School sprinter, who is based in Auckland, New Zealand, is here on holiday and eyeing a spot in the Black Ferns 7s. Diyalowai plays football for the national women’s team and is using the tournament to keep herself fit.