Lautoka claims first victory

LAUTOKA got their first win of the 2024 Skipper Cup competition after they defeated a gusty Macuata team by 26-16 at Churchill Park ground number three yesterday.

The Ben Ranitu-coached side got the ball rolling early in the match with number eight Saimoni Qaranivalu finding the try line in the first minute of the match.

The Maroons scored another quick try through winger Glen Tuwai to see the team go into a comfortable 10-0 lead.

The Macuata team could not find their momentum in the match with the Maroons successful in disrupting their style of play.

Inside centre Viliame Maiono kicked two penalty goals in quick succession for Macuata to reduce the score to 6-10.

Lautoka went into the break with a 13-6 lead after fly-half Rafaele Seru put them ahead by seven points through a penalty goal.

Macuata looked like a more settled team in the second spell and asked questions about the Maroons defence on a number of occasions.

However, the Maroons, backed by their fans on home turf, pushed for another try, with Qaranivalu scoring his brace, eight minutes into the second half.

Macuata threatened to make a comeback after winger Asaeli Meli Tuicakau scored two tries in the second spell, but Maroons held on through two penalty goals kicked by ever-reliable fly-half Seru for the win.

Ranitu, after the match, said they started strongly in the match, unlike their previous two matches.

“We wanted a bonus point win, but we are happy with the victory,” he said.

Ranitu acknowledged the efforts of the players and hailed the Macuata team.

“We saw today(yesterday) how they (Macuata) managed to beat Nadi and we knew; they would open up the game but we shut them down.”

■ Skipper Cup round three results:

Suva 32-24 Yasawa, Nadroga 36-27 Naitasiri, Tailevu 33-24 Ba, Lautoka 26-16 Macuata, Nadi 34-16 Namosi