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 TEIVOVO.COM – COLONIAL CUP
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Saturday 24 February 2007
Stallions win try-fest
By Vela Naucukidi
Defending Colonial Cup champions, the Stallions, came out 38-33 winners over the Sharks at Churchill Park on Saturday and secured a place in the semi-finals thanks to a late try from young wing Jone Macilai.
Macilai picked up a loose ball from Jack Prasad's stray pass and sprinted 30 metres untouched to the try-line.
The Stallions had some young guns in their side and played really well. They opened the scoring on the eighth minute from an outstanding backline move. It ended up in winger's Isoa Neivua hands to finish off. Neivua was hard to bring down, pulling his defenders with him to the line.
Five minutes later, he added another five pointer to put them further into the lead. Fly-half Jonetani Ralulu converted both tries from touch.
In the 17th minute, Sharks narrowed the gap with a try to halfback Samu Laqai. Isoa Rokobici kicked through and Laqai followed in support, and ran after the kick to score the Northerners first try.
Viliame Gonevulavula scored their second in the 23rd minute after a five-metre scrum. Rokobici tried to break through the Stallions defence but was held back and Gonevulavula dived over.
The Stallions, strong as ever, scored two more tries before the break from Mosese Vasuitoga and Epeli Vuicuvu.
After the breather, they furthered the lead to 31-12 with captain Apisai Turukawa's try.
With that score on the board, Prasad led by example and was commended by coach Rayne Simpson.
"Jack showed a lot of leadership capabilities which was really good when the score was 31-12 against us," Simpson said.
Substitute Jo Sesevu made some good breaks for the Sharks to spend time inside their opponents' half. The Stallions were caught offside, Prasad opted to go for the line and the forwards helped him over.
In the 62nd minute, Prasad leveled the scores with his second try and then converted the try to put them first into the lead at 33-31 with only a few minutes to play.
However, just before the final whistle, Macilai spoiled the Sharks' weekend.
Coach Joji Rinakama was pleased with the outcome and was happy for all the young players in the team.
"This was a great game and I'm very happy for all my young and new players in the team – what a great experience for them," he said.
However, he admitted that they made poor choices at times and that led to some tries to the Sharks.
"The individual play in the second half cost us points. We're still working on our combinations and need to improve in," Rinakama added.
The Sharks, after being away from home for three weeks, hope to win at home in Savusavu next weekend.
"We're been away from our home in Vanua Levu for three weeks now and it's been tough on the boys," coach Simpson said.
"We need more support and development up north to help us compete with the Viti Levu teams. We came away with two bonus points today which was really good for us and we hope to win in Savusavu."
"Basically, our fitness today was our main strength and the fact that the boys stuck to their game plan which was nice, open style rugby. Our backline was great and our loose forwards worked hard as well."
To win they will need to rectify their mistakes and work on their weaknesses from this game.
"We need to improve on some basic skills and decision-making. Our set pieces were okay but they need some improvement. We came back and looked like we were going to win, but a mistake led to that last try by the Stallions."
Saturday 24 February 2007
Sharks 33 Stallions 38
Colonial Cup Round 4
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Half-time: 12-24
Referee: Sam Tuidraki
Crowd: 2,500
SHARKS: 15 Penaia Vakaruru, 14 Romulo Leweniqila (Malakai Tiko 14, Jo Sesevu 47), 13 Gabirieli Lovobalavu, 12 Isoa Rokobici, 11 Apisalome Waqabaca, 10 Jack Prasad (capt), 9 Jock Luita, 8 Timoci Vakadranu, 7 Samu Vakaruru, 6 Viliame Gonevulavula (Lemeki Laqere 69), 5 Mosese Fatiaki (Akuila Matanibukaca 51), 4 Kolinio Vasuilagi, 3 Maikeli Evans (Fakamatua Laupula 47), 2 Maciu Vakaruru (Peter McComber 69), 1 Remesio Ravuiwasa
Not used: Aliposo Bueta
Coach: Rayne Simpson
Tries: Gonevulavula (2), Prasad (2), Luita; Conversions: Prasad (4).
STALLIONS: 15 Kuna Juke (Isimeli Koniferedi 51), 14 Jone Macilai, 13 Koki Vuicuvu (Tomasi Mawi 72), 12 Timoci Mule (Jonetani Ratu 40), 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Samu Laqai, 8 Samu Kunanitu, 7 Tevita Tuilawa (Josefa Domolailai 51), 6 Wame Lewaravu, 5 Mosese Vasuitoga (Iliesa Ratuva 69), 4 Rupeni Nasiga, 3 Paula Biu (Koli Masau 54), 2 Apisai Turukawa (capt), 1 Tiko Matawalu (Isaia Rasila 64)
Coach: Joji Rinakama
Tries: Neivua (2), Vasuitoga, Vuicuvu, Turukawa, Macilai; Conversions: Ralulu (4).
Colonial Player of the Match ($100) – Timoci Vakadranu (Sharks)
Scoring sequence (Sharks’ scores shown first):
8min – TRY STALLIONS, Neivua; conversion Ralulu – 0-7
13min – TRY STALLIONS, Neivua; conversion Ralulu – 0-14
17min – TRY SHARKS, Luita; conversion Prasad (missed) – 5-14
23min – TRY SHARKS, Gonevulavula ; conversion Prasad – 12-14
28min – TRY STALLIONS, Vasuitoga; conversion Ralulu (missed) – 12-19
32min – TRY STALLIONS, Vuicuvu; conversion Ralulu (missed) – 12-24
Half-time
42min – PEN GOAL STALLIONS, Ralulu (missed) – 12-24
46min – TRY STALLIONS, Turukawa; conversion Ralulu – 12-31
57min – TRY SHARKS, Prasad; conversion Prasad – 19-31
62min – TRY SHARKS, Gonevulavula ; conversion Prasad – 26-31
72min – TRY SHARKS, Prasad; conversion Prasad – 33-31
77min – TRY STALLIONS, Macilai; conversion Relulu – 33-38
Full-time
Age grade
U19s – Sharks 20 Stallions 34
U21s – Sharks 17 Stallions 26
Colonial Cup main page
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