Skip­per Cup: Douglas Stars In Naitasiri’s Win

Former Fiji Airways Fijian Drua first five eight Kini Douglas scored 16 points for Naitasiri as they thumped Jack’s Nadi 32-18 at Prince Charles Park, Nadi yesterday.

This is Nadi’s first loss in the Skip­per Cup Premiership while Naitasi­ri and Suva are the only unbeaten teams in the competition.

What happened: The visitors start­ed with a bang with a try to Semi Qerelevu in the 5th minute with the conversion missing. Trailing 5-0 Nadi centre Lemeki Vuki copped a yellow card for unprofessional play.

In the 11th minute it was Tevita Taga who converted a penalty for Nadi as they trailed 5-3.

The hosts piled on the pressure and in the 20th minute Simione Tora made a quick tap and dived over to score with the conversion missing.

In the 27th minute Qerelevu scored his second try for Naitasiri and Douglas kicked over the conversion as they regained the lead 12-8.

But Nadi took a 13-12 lead with an unconverted try just before the in­terval.

In the second spell the hosts made simple errors as they were pres­sured by the Naitasiri forwards and Taga got a yellow card in the 44th minute.

Then Douglas swung into action with two penalties as they led 18-13.

Not to be outdone Nadi’s consist­ent pressure was paid off when winger Jiutasa Nave scored a try to level the scores at 18-18.

Then the Naitasiri forwards took control with a penalty try, to extend their lead 25-18. Then it was Doug­las with a beautiful try from an in­tercept inside the 22-metre line to seal Nadi’s fate.

Star turn: Halfback Frank Lomani was on fire for Naitasiri from the base of the scrum as he dictated their moves.

Comments: Naitasiri coach Ilaitia Tuisese Jnr said, “Nadi is a cham­pion team. An area of concern was on discipline and we need to go back to the basics.

“They are coming away from the game plan that was set out for them. They came out, struggled a bit but then they went back to the game plan and then things worked out from here.”

Nadi Rugby chairman Sekove Tui­lakeba said, “Just wait as it is not over yet because we will be back.

“Rugby is in our blood and this is our local boys and we’ve groomed them from our club competition but

“I don’t know who we played today whether it’s the Fiji Warriors team or was it Naitasiri?”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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