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Saturday 8 April 2007
Tau'uta Reds 21-13 Tautahi Gold
Tau’uta Reds have confirmed their Pacific Rugby Cup title ambitions with a hard-fought 21-13 victory over Tautahi Gold in the second round of the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup on Saturday.
The Tongans, who recorded an impressive 23 - 20 win against 2006 finalists Fiji Warriors in round one, dominated the match both in terms of territory and possession, but made hard work of breaking down a resolute Tautahi Gold defence and as a result were restricted to just three tries.
The Reds got off to an excellent start scoring two tries inside the opening twenty minutes through loose head prop Toma Toke and second row Kelepi Halafihi to open up a 21-3 lead
However, the floodgates that had threatened to open in the early exchanges held firm and Tautahi Gold finished the half strongly scoring a converted try of their own through winger Setalei Lu’au on the stroke of half time to head into the interval trailing by just four points.
The second half though was all one way traffic as the Reds took a stranglehold on the game through their powerful set piece and driving play. It did not take them long to register their third try of the match as just two minutes had elapsed before winger Ualosi Kailea crashed over for a score that caught the Tautahi Gold defence napping.
Holding a 21-10 advantage the Reds pushed for the all important fourth try that would secure an invaluable bonus point in what is an extremely competitive tournament. However, despite having their chances a combination of excellent defence and a barrage of substitutions midway through the half served to quash their momentum.
Indeed a Laekona Tovi penalty for the Golds in the forty-seventh minute was the only other score of the second period as the Reds cruised to a second successive victory.
Saturday 8 April 2007
Tautahi Gold 13 Tau'uta Reds 21
IRB Pacific Rugby Cup
Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa
TAUTAHI GOLD: 15 Sione Taukapo, 14 Setaleki Lu'au, 13 Lisiate Tafa, 12 Matakaiongo Tupou, 11 Heimuli Pangai, 10 Fangatapu 'Apikotoa (Captain), 9 Soane Havea, 8 Sione Niu Tonga (V/Captain), 7 Liua Fatai, 6 Lopeti Lolohea, 5 Tanginoa Fosita, 4 Samuela Ika, 3 Sione Tu'ifua, 2 Kama Sakalia, 1 Palei Ika
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Feki Moala, 17 Viliami Kupu, 18 Ta'ukolonga Tava, 19 'Alekisanita Taka, 20 Leakona Tovi 21 Sione Leha'uli, 22 Silifou Sikulu
Try: Setaleki Lu’au; conversion: Fangatapu Apikotoa; penalty: Fangatapu Apikotoa; dropped goal: Fangatapu Apikotoa
TAU'UTA REDS: 15 Mesui Lemoto, 14 Ualosi Kailea, 13 Hudson Tonga'uiha (Captain), 12 Tatafu Na'aniumotu, 11 Salesi Havili, 10 Mataiasi 'Aholelei, 9 'Enele Taufa, 8 'Otulea Fifita, 7 Rodney Mahe, 6 'Atunaisa Sikalu (V/Captain), 5 Isileli Fine, 4 Kelepi Halafihi, 3 Sateki Mata'u, 2 'Etimoni Poteki, 1 Toma Toke
REPLACEMENTS: 16 'Atelea Hu'akau, 17 Tevita Fonua, 18 Lopeti 'Ahovelo, 19 Tavalea Takai, 20 Tevita 'Ahoafi, 21 'Ofa Takai, 22 Sione Tu'akoi
Tries: Toma Toke, Kelepi Halafihi, Ualosi Kailea; conversions: Mataiasi Aholeleli (3)
Pacific Rugby Cup main page
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TEIVOVO.COM – IRB PACIFIC RUGBY CUP 2007