Skipper Cup Under-19 Semi final match report: Nadroga beats Suva, to take on Namosi in U-19 Final.
Nadroga Under-19 are through to the Skipper Cup Finals after beating Suva 33 – 29 in the second Skipper Cup semifinals at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori.
Nadroga executed their gameplay well, following through a more structured game and taking the pressure onto Suva.
However, Suva maintains their composure while replying with their fast play and good offloading game.
Suva’s Manasa Bainimarama scored the first try 9 minutes in the first half while Richard Kaivei converted the try putting Suva on the scoreboard 7 – 0.
on the 16 minutes, Nadroga’s Viliame Nakaiusa made a clean break and scored Nadro’s first try before Simeli Karacia converted the try leveling the score 7 – 7.
Nadroga’s swift attack landed them 2 fast tries coming in from Sevuloni Lutu and Vanavasa Cawaitakali on the 19 minutes and 22 minutes which were both converted by Karacia putting them in the lead 21 – 7.
Suva winger Paul Dolokoto scored their second try on the 30 minutes closing the score margin 21 – 12, and on the 33 minutes, Nadroga hit the scoreboard again with a try coming in from Simione Bulai before Karacia added the extra 2 extending their lead 28 – 10.
Coming into the second spell, Nadroga’s Viliame Nakaiusa scored another try further extending their lead 33 – 12.
on the 44 minutes, Suva’s Manasa Bainimarama powered his way onto the try line to score his second before it was converted by Kaivei 33 – 19.
Six minutes later Suva’s Simeli Nainima scored another try for Suva closing in the score margin 33 – 24, before Paul Dolokoto scored his second try and Suva’s final try on the 68 minutes 33 – 29.
In the other Skipper Cup semifinal, Namosi beat Nadi 16 – 13 at the ANZ Stadium, Suva.
Nadroga will play Namosi in the Skipper Cup Under-19 grand finale next week.