Saracen bound fullback Iliesa Keresoni scored two tries in the dying stages to hoist Tailevu to a come-from-behind 32-25 win over Navosa in the sixth round of the Digicel Cup competition at Vodafone Ratu Cakobau Park today.
Tailevu bagged five tries for its bonus point win while Navosa failed to leap the last hurdle in the game they mostly dominated.
Navosa rugby team manager Ropate Labalaba said his team entered the match with the aim of improving their standing.
“And to do that we’re trying to win one game at a time,” he adds.
“The game was ours but we failed to maintain our performance on a certain platform because we lacked match fitness. The loss is a learning curve but this is a very young side and there is always room for improvement.”
Tailevu opened the scoreboard after James Vuli converted Saula Radidi’s try three minutes after the opening whistle.
Minutes later Navosa speedster Kini Naovasi scored a converted try to level the scores at 7 all.
Tailevu skipper Jone Kaila led by example after running in his side’s second. Vuli converted and later booted a penalty for a 10 point lead.
This was shortlived as Navosa came back firing towards the breather and a try each from centre Iveri Lavo and robust prop Necani Baivatu was enough to seal a 19-17 lead at halftime.
The second spell began with Navosa keeping their supporters on their feet with their enterprising play and flair, typical of Fijian rugby.
Navosa continued their hunt for glory with two penalties for a 25-17 lead while former Fiji wing Rupeni Caucau, playing his first game in months scored an easy try in the corner for Tailevu to narrow the scoreline at 25-22.
The match looked all but sealed for Navosa with only minutes left on the clock.
But, just as the Tailevu fans started leaving their seats; Keresoni tore through the Navosa defence from near halfway and galloped to the tryline.
Moments later the former schoolboy hero, who will be leaving for New Zealand next week before joining his older brother Kameli Ratuvou at English club Saracens, snatched a Vuli chip kick in injury time to seal his farewell gift to Tailevu.
A relieved Tailevu coach Inoke Male said he will have to take his side back to the drawing board.
“We’re fortunate to have won this game. We failed to execute our game plan and we only did that towards the end of the game. Navosa showed good defence and they gave us a good run for the win,” Male said.
In the other Digicel Cup matches, front runners Nadroga thumped Tavua 48-13 while defending champs Nadi edged Northland 16-13 in front of their home crowd. The touring Suva side defeated Ovalau 15-12 while Namosi failed to impress in its 12-19 loss to Lautoka.. The clash between Naitasiri and Rewa ended with a 15-10 margin in favour of Naitasiri.
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