The Agavito Sauvakarua captained- Lautoka rugby side is going to work harder the next few days if they are to successfully defend the Vodafone Vanua Cup Challenge, this weekend.

The Maroons trailed challengers Northland 15-10 at halftime before pulling away to a 24-18 win at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.

Sauvakarua said they would need to get their act together.

“We had a good game as we were pushed to the wire as we were behind in the first half,” he said.

“We got hold of our rhythm and bounced back. We will go big on working on our mistakes from this match to prepare for the next challenge,” he said.

Livewire Lautoka flanker Eroni Leone was named Best Player of the Match.

Northland took a 3-0 lead with a penalty from Jope Dreu in the 5th minute.

The Sugar City side then scored a try to prop Lemeki Racule with the conversion from Waisea Luveniyali, to lead 7-3. Five minutes later Luveniyali extended the lead to 10-3.

Northland came back with two tries scored by centre Apenisa Vela and Sikeli Roragaca with Dreu landing one conversion, 15-7.

Lautoka’s Luveniyali kicked over a penalty to narrow the deficit to 15-10. The Maroons continued on the pressure in the second half with tries to No. 8 Apakuki Vuaviri and Nacanieli Vulo in the 66th and 80th minute and both conversions came from Kelemedi Navucu to lead 24-15

Northland’s lone point of the half was a penalty from Dreu.

Northland captain Osea Turagavou said, “We thanked Lautoka for giving us a good game. To be frank we were close but it got slipped away. We thank our supporters for being with us,” he said.

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