Suva makes it 7 from 7

THE Wallson Suva women’s senior rugby side made it seven wins out of seven as they beat Lautoka 41-5 in the 2022 ANZ Marama Championship at Bidesi Park in Capital City yesterday.

Lautoka started the match on a high, scoring first through lock Julia Susu in the third minute to lead 5-nil.

Suva settled into the match with former Fijiana 7s rep Lavenia Tinai scoring her first of two tries in the 17th minute.

Suva’s openside flanker Seruwaia Vukoto grabbed Suva’s second try while flyhalf Mereani Moceituba added another as Suva took a 17-5 lead at half-time.

Tinai, playing at number eight, had a Most Valuable Player performace as she touched down for her second and her teams’ fourth try 10 minutes into the second spell.

There were some tempers three minutes later as Lautoka had lock Loata Nabulagi sin-binned for a high shot.

Suva’s Vukoto then followed pursuit when she was shown a yellow card as well.

Things got from bad to worse for Lautoka when replacement winger Sekola Serukibau was sent off for a head high shot on a Suva player.

Suva took full advantage and scored tries through replacements Titilia Sovautabua and Vitalina Mirini while fly-half Moceituba added her second for a comfortable win in the end.

Suva coach Meli Tuifagalele praised his girls for the brilliant win.

“We started slow but we managed to pull through. Lautoka despite having a few losses coming into the game played well and we are just glad to come out with maximum points,” he said.

“We are glad that we finished the first round undefeated but we have another full round to go so we’ll go back and try and come out stronger in the second round.”

In other Marama Championship results, Namosi beat Nadi 15-5 and Yasawa was too strong for Nadroga 22-0.

In a Ranadi Championship match at Garvey Park, Nanukuloa beat Tavua 20-5.

Meanwhile, the men’s Vanua Cup got underway yesterday. Vatukoula beat Tavua 19-13 at Garvey Park while Lautoak overcame Yasawa 20-5 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.