Naitasiri dragged every ounce of effort they could muster to wrestle the Farebrother Sullivan Cup from Northland with dramatic come from behind 17-15 win at Ratu Cakobau Park.

Naitasiri did just enough to dispose a determined Northland attacking game to take the spoils after another tight and tensed showdown.

Both sides shared equal possession from the kick off and the holders were solid and workmanlike to open their account with a try to prop Banuve Dretiverata minutes from the breather.

Northland held a slender 5-0 lead at the break.

The second spell became Naitasiri’s telling point as Northland began to feel the pressure as their set scrum was an area attacked remorselessly by Naitasiri.

Naitasiri started their title chase with a converted try from centre John Stewart while Northland fought back with a penalty from fly half Maikeli Vasole minutes later to maintain course.

Tension exploded as the contact area was every bit as cluttered and messy just as the feisty defender would have hoped for giving Norani Vunacece a chance to score an unconverted try.

It was nothing new for the Hillman as Senirusi Seruvakula scored a try to narrow the margin 14-15 however; they stuck to their task superbly to earn a penalty try which was successfully slotted by Luveniyali in the dying stages of the game.

Elated about the win, Naitasiri head coach Eroni Vereivalu applauded his team for the outstanding performance. Despite the win, Vereivalu still finds room for improvement.

“The boys played well but not to expectation because they made a lot of mistakes,” Vereivalu said.

“Whenever they find themselves locked in a close contest they make familiar deadly mistakes and we can’t afford to do this against Nadi next week.”

With Nadi coming down as the next challenger, Northland skipper Lote Leva has advised the Naitasiri team not to let jetsetter take the title down to the west.

“I thank the boys for their commitment and sacrifice, we played according to the game plan but I believe we lost to a better team,” Leva said.

“I’m happy that we’ve created history but we need to work hard for another chance next season. We hold strong ties with Naitasiri and to us it makes no difference if they keep the title. What matters most now is for them to successfully defend it and not to let Nadi take the title down to the west.”

Fijilive

Back to Home

Print