The Northland rugby team have booked their spot in next year’s Skipper Cup competition.

This was after they beat Ba 17-0 in the Vodafone Vanua Championship’s semifinal at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, yesterday.

Northland assistant coach Joe Tukana said they are on track with their mission.

“Our mission this year was to win the Vanua Cup and play in the Skipper Cup competition next season,” he said.

“Now we’ll have to work harder on areas that we did not do well.

“We have achieved this win and we are happy for that.”

What happened: Both teams took time to adapt to the soggy ground conditions.

Northland used their big forwards to lead the charge. In the 16th minute Inoke Ravuiwasa dived over to score their first try as they led 5-0.

Ravuiwasa scored another try just before halftime.

Halftime: Northland 10-0 Ba

Northland came out using their big forwards again to dictate play.

In the 53rd minute flanker Eroni Leone scored Northland’s third try which was converted by Emosi Mulevoro.

Ba tried back but they were not used to playing under wet ground conditions.

Comment: Ba rugby coach Gabireli Naborisi said: “The weather was not on our side and we couldn’t execute our game plan.

“We gave them a good battle. We will prepare again for next year and hope to give it another shot.”

OTHER RESULTS

Women: Northland 0-5 Macuata, Under-19: Northland 19-0 Ovalau

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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