Jack’s Suva 36:( Eroni Sau 2 try, Mosese Tikoduadua 4 pen 2 con, Apisai Tauyavuca 1 try, Peni Raidre 1 try)

Northland 20: ( Semi Molidegei 1 try, Keasi Naigulevu 2 con, 1 pen, Iliesa Ratuva 1 try, Dan Ligairi 1 try)

What happened: Jack’s Suva defeated Northland 36-20 in the fourth round of the 2017 Skipper Cup competition at Gatward Park, Korovou yesterday.

The capital side with the able leadership of former Flying Fijian halfback Nikola Matawalu dominated the opening 40 minutes.

They continued to dismantle the Northland defensive line scoring their first try through wing Eroni Sau.

Northland only had to blame themselves for their poor execution in the set pieces. Suva extended their lead from two penalties from first five –eighth Mosese Tikoduadua who also converted Apisai Tauyavuca’s try.

Suva led 18-0 at halftime.

Northland regrouped and played a well-structured game as their forwards pack lifted the intensity.

This resulted in a try to Semi Molidegei converted by fist five-eighth Keasi Naigulevu.

Suva replied scoring their third try through Peni Raidre, converted by Tikoduadua. Suva continued their dominance scoring through winger Eroni Sau,  Tikoduadua missed the conversion. Northland applied the pressure and saw Suva down with 14 men as Raidre was sin-binned.

This allowed Northland to score their second try through Iliesa Ratuva which was converted by Naigulevu.

Indiscipline by Northland saw Tikoduadua kicking two penalties.

This did not dishearten the Northland forwards pack as they drive towards the Suva’s try-line to score their final try through Dan Ligairi. But it was too late as Suva sealed the day with a bonus 36-20 win.

Big play: Suva’s Mosese Tikoduadua contributed 16 points.

Star turn: Northland forwards pack put up a gutsy performance in the second half.

Comments

Suva head coach Saiasi Fuli: “It was a good win after the loss to Namosi. Hats off to Northland for coming back to score two tries in the second half.  Matawalu showed good character, organisation, leadership guiding the young players.”

Northland head coach Watisoni Ratulevu: “I’m happy with how our forwards played,  we need to work on our set pieces for the next game. We were unfortunate in the first half, Suva scored more points because of our indiscipline.”