The Ilai Derenalagi- coached Jack’s Nadi side retained the coveted INKK Fiji Rugby Farebrother- Sullivan Trophy yesterday.

And in doing so, started their round one Skipper Provincial Cup game with a bang, defeating Rewa 25-15 win at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.

A good Rewa crowd travelling in 20 buses witnessed the clash.

Nadi Rugby Union treasurer Jeff Tamata said the game was not what the Nadi Jets expected

But he said the aim was to score a bonus win.

“The boys followed the Rewa pattern of play but we told the boys at halftime to play their own style. It was a tough game as expected in a Farebrother challenge.

“Rewa gives a good game and they had a good management team,”he said.

What happened:  Local fans were shocked when halfback Samuela Valagi scored for Rewa three minutes in the second half.

The try saw Rewa led 10-8 but experience and the humidity saw Nadi through in the end.

The game started at a frenetic pace as the gusty Rewa outfit took the game to the Farebrother holder.

Fullback Apenisa Deve was given a chance to open the floodgates in the 9th minute but missed.

Both teams tested each other out on a humid condition in front of a vocal crowd.

Rewa showed moments of brilliance with their backline brigade but poor decision-making led to their downfall.

It was a torrid encounter as it took Nadi 17 minutes to settle down and scored a try through locks Turuva Lumelume with first five-eight Sela Toga missing the conversion.

Toga was given an opportunity to increase Nadi’s tally but missed the penalty in the 21st minute.

Rewa’s response came from the boot of fullback Apenisa Deve with a penalty in the 23rd minute.

Nadi was reduced to 14 men when Ron Katonivere was sin-binned in the 30th minute.

Deve missed another penalty for Rewa in the 37th minutes.

Halftime: Nadi 8-3 Rewa.

Rewa upped the tempo from kickoff in the second half and half-back Valagi scored their first try in the 43rd minute. The conversion by Deve was on point as Rewa took the lead 10-8.

It took Nadi nine minutes to settle down and hardworking No. 8 Napolioni Naulia scored Nadi second try in the 52nd minute which was not converted by Toga, 13-10 .

A try by centre Tevita Mociu in the 60th minute was converted by Toga, 20-10.

In the 66th minute hooker Maikeli Sivo crossed the whitewash, 25-10.

Hardworking number eight Apolosi Tamata scored a try for the visitors in the 73rd minute but it was too little too late. Deve missed the conversion.

Comment: Rewa coach Ro Alifereti Dovirerata rued their missed opportunities.

“The game today was game of opportunities,” he said.

“Nadi made use of theirs that came their way. Unfortunately, we did not use the ball well.

“We cannot afford to give away penalties in this competition. I must congratulate Nadi for the victory.”

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