POLICE RETAIN ESCOTT SHIELD TITLE
Police Blues rugby side retained the Escott Shield title after defeating Fresh’et Navy 27-24 in the final encounter at Albert Park, Suva yesterday.
The lawmen staged a strong comeback in the second half after they trailed 10-17 at halftime.
What Happened:
They drew first blood with a try to Mosese Naiova which was not converted.
Navy hit back after the forwards toiled hard resulting in lock forward Soro Tuifagalele scoring.
Navy continued the momentum with Mosese Tikoduadua and Samuela Banivalu scoring. A minute before halftime Police capitalised on a loose ball which resulted in No. 8 Samuela Bola scoring their second try.
Halftime: Navy 17-10 Police Blues
Head coach Solomone Nute words of encouragement fired up the team as openside flanker Naiova dived in for his second try which was converted by Meli Kurisaru.
The lawmen continued to apply pressure and scored their fourth try through Epeli Usamate and converted by Kurisaru.
Silly mistake from Navy with less than 10 minutes to go awarded Kurisaru another penalty which extended the lead 27-17.
With just five minutes to go, Navy regrouped and scored under the post through Malakai Vereivalu and Tikoduadua kicked the conversion
Fulltime: Police Blues 27-24 Navy.
Comments:
Nute said his message at halftime to the Police side was to believe in themselves.
“I’m happy for the boys. I just reminded them to have faith in the Lord and believe in themselves.
“It was a slow start for us in the first half but we learnt from our weaknesses and improved on that in the second half and this is a good preparation platform for Sukuna Bowl,” Nute said.
Navy vice captain Jitoko Usumaki believes discipline was their downfall.
“We could have won the game but we just gave it away,” Usumaki said.