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24 February 2007
Crusaders halt Roosters' chances
By William Tabuya
The Crusaders overcame a shaky start to snuff out the Bligh Roosters’ chances with an 18-6 win at Garvey Park on Saturday and put Ifereimi Tawake’s side in a strong position for a semi-final berth.
Randwick-based flanker and Colonial-man-of-the-match Sam Tabua caused all sorts of problems for newcomers Roosters with sound ball hunting skills that resulted in a number of turnovers.
Trailing 6-0, fullback Taniela Rawaqa crossed over for the Crusaders to put them in a slender 7-6 lead just before the break.
The Crusaders lifted their game in the second spell to send Sikeli Gavidi over the tryline and collect two Rawaqa penalties for 11 unanswered points.
Roosters hooker Joeli Lotawa felt that they could have had this one.
"We could have won the game but a lot of poor decisions were made at the wrong times. We stuck to our gameplan in the first spell but somehow slipped in the second."
"We have one more match left although we no longer have a chance of a semi-final spot, but we will give it our best," he said.
Digicel Fiji 7s player and Roosters flanker, Epeli Vuniwaqa, believes the Roosters will be a force to reckon with next season.
"We are a new side that has a lot of promise and given more time, we should be able to cause upsets."
Saturday 24 February 2007
Bligh Roosters 6 Crusaders 18
Colonial Cup Round 4
Garvey Park, Tavua
Half-time: 6-7
Referee: Napolioni Locoloco
Crowd: 1,500
BLIGH ROOSTERS: 15 Emori Ratu (capt), 14 Simeli Tuiteci, 13 Josateki Mami (Mesulame Soga 68), 12 Sekove Vuniwaqa, 11 Sainivalati Kenatale, 10 Noa Rokomatu (Waisake Gaugau 67, yellow card 73-), 9 Joeli Matai (Isei Matai 50), 8 Kini Namoumou (yellow card 43-52), 7 Epeli Vuniwaqa, 6 Kini Radaveta (Emori Bolobolo 62), 5 Malakai Bari, 4 Senirusi Rauqe (Seta Ratoto 62), 3 Savenaca Driu (Petero Natau 73), 2 Joeli Lotawa (yellow card 53-62), 1 Iveri Momo
Not used: Apisalome Take
Coach: Manasa Bari
Penalty goals: Kenatale (2)
CRUSADERS: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Jona Nareki (Kusitino Vatu 62), 13 Vereniki Goneva (yellow card 22-31), 12 Atunaisa Ratu (Jo Tora 56), 11 Aseri Latianara, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Aporosa Vata (capt), 8 Sunia Nadruku (Kelepi Ketedromo 56), 7 Sam Tabua, 6 Ifereimi Naruma (Ropate Senikuraciri 78), 5 Jonacani Batirua (Sikeli Donu 51), 4 Aseri Tale, 3 Sikeli Gavidi (Sikeli Nasau 54), 2 Aseri Buli (yellow card 56-65), 1 Paula Cata
Not used: Semi Lotawa
Coach: Ifereimi Tawake
Tries: Rawaqa, Gavidi; Conversion: Luveniyali; Penalty goals: Rawaqa (2)
Colonial Player of the Match ($100) – Sam Tabua (Crusaders)
Scoring sequence (Bligh Roosters’ scores shown first):
13min – PEN GOAL ROOSTERS, Kenatale – 3-0
16min – PEN GOAL CRUSADERS, Luveniyali (missed) – 3-0
22min – Yellow card, Crusaders, Goneva
22min – PEN GOAL ROOSTERS, Kenatale – 6-0
37min – TRY CRUSADERS, Rawaqa; conversion Luveniyali – 6-7
Half-time
43min – Yellow card, Roosters, Namoumou
43min – PEN GOAL CRUSADERS, Rawaqa (missed)– 6-7
45min – PEN GOAL CRUSADERS, Rawaqa – 6-10
48min – TRY CRUSADERS, Gavidi; conversion Rawaqa (missed) – 6-15
53min – Yellow card, Roosters, Lotawa
56min – Yellow card, Crusaders, Buli
73min – Yellow card, Roosters, Gaugau
77min – PEN GOAL CRUSADERS, Rawaqa – 6-18
Full-time
Age grade
U19s – Bligh Roosters 11 Crusaders 5
U21s – Bligh Roosters 21 Crusaders 29
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