Nadi Back on Track for Skipper Cup
The Jolame Luvevou captainedJack’s Nadi side defeated Nadroga 22-12 in their Skipper Cup clash at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, last night.
The Jets bounced back from their upset loss to Tailevu last week, while the wounded Stallions remained winless after two matches.
New find winger Mosese Naura scored the Nadi’s first try under the post with only four minutes on the clock. The conversion from Serupepeli Vularika was successful as they led 7-0.
Fijian Drua reps of Waqa Nalaga at centre and winger Taniela Rakuro in the Nadroga backs were shut out by the Nadi defence.
A kick by fullback Mosese Varo from Nadi’s 22-metre and was played by Nadroga in front of their posts where they infringed. Vularika did not waste any time to kick over the penalty to extend the lead 10-0. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre played well at inside centre for Nadi and in the 24th minute setup centre Joseva Namisi to score their second try to make it 15-0. In the second half, Nadi maintained the pressure and in the minute Luvevou ran into heavy traffic and was able to score under the post, Vularika extended the lead to 22-0.
In the last 10 minutes of the game, the host looked lethargic, and first five eight Joeli Baleilvuka managed to dazzled the Nadi defence to score with Jovilisi Taraka coming off the bench to slot the conversion 22-7. In the dying minutes of the game, Rakuro ran untouched to score for Nadroga but it was too late.
Nadi vice-caption Naulia Dawai said they were expecting Nadroga to give them a good game.
“It was a tough week for us after the loss to Tailevu last week,” he said.
“Nadroga gave us a tough game. We had the best team of the week team and we came to play and win.” In the Skipper Cup Under-20 clash, Nadi was thrashed by Nadroga 3517.