Cakaudrove eyes Ranadi Cup Final

The Cakaudrove women’s rugby team upset favourites Ba 24-23 to qualify for the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup semifinal.

Both teams played with 14 players because of concussion.

In the first half Ba’s hooker Ilisapeci Namoce and in the second half Cakaudrove’s outside centre, Mere Vakananumi had to be taken to Labasa Hospital for observation.

They were back at camp yesterday after being treated.

Cakaudrove coach Ana Seru said, she was speechless and excited as they were preparing for this.

“Ba had a good start with a penalty and I told the girls that once they settled down they’ll have fun in scoring tries,” Seru said.

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That’s when Salanieta Bulitunuloa hit the first try followed by team-mate Ilisabeta Moa and a conversion by Salaseini Ranevi added up to 12 points.

Seru said although they led 19-11 at halftime, she didn’t want to pressure the players but only advised them to go for the win.

“I am happy with the players as we only had one yellow card and still in better shape to prepare for the semi-final,” she said.

“We want to secure a spot in the final and surely we will work hard to achieve this aim.”

Ba team manager Malakai Vukinavanua said players suffered lot of injuries and it cost them.

Their player, Litea Teru was flashed with red card for a high tackle.

“Last year we lost in the quarterfinal to Naitasiri and this year again we reached the quarterfinal,” Vukinavanua said.

“This is the third year for us to participate in this tournament and we will become better next year.”

He said most of the players were secondary school students and even after so many injuries they still managed to put together a good game.

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