Nadroga earn bonus point 31-3 win over Nadi 07 May, 2011

Apisalome Waqatabu scored twice for Nadroga.

Digicel Cup – Rd 8 
Prince Charles Park, Nadi

Nadi (3) 3
Pen: Sunia Vata
Nadroga (12) 31
Tries: Aporosa Taulawaki, Apisalome Waqatabu (2), Paula Karatu, Sakiusa Navaka
Con: Jonetani Ralulu (3) 

Referee – Lote Sadranu
Conditions – Wet, muddy and slippery 

Nadroga overwhelmed Nadi 31-3 to claim maximum points as they outscored their Western neighbours by tries to nil. Two of those tries scored by winger Apisalome Waqatabu who seems to be carrying his outstanding from the Pacific Rugby Cup into the DIgicel Cup and must surely be an outside chance for a Pacific Nations Cup spot and dare we even mention the Rugby World Cup. 

Nadi opened the scoring in the fourth minute of play courtesy of a Sunia Vata penalty. It was to be the only impression the Jetsetters were to make on the scoreboard as Nadroga ran their hosts ragged for the remainder of the afternoon. 

But despite all their dominance it took Nadroga until the 23rd minute to register their first points courtesy of centre Aporosa Tabulawaki who cut through some tame Nadi defense from 40 metres out to score wide of the uprights. 

Sensing their dominance Nadroga forwards led by Aca Gavidi and Tevita Cavubati used their superior strength and speed to keep Nadi on the back foot and could’ve had a second try in the 31st minute as skipper Tiko Matawalu knocked on over the 22 metre line with Nadi in complete disarray. 

However Matawalu’s mistake could not prevent the inevitable as Tabulawaki once again proved troublesome in midfield for the Nadi defense, and when the ball was spun wide the impressive Waqatabu was on hand to score in the corner. 

Such was Nadroga’s dominance Nadi must have felt relatively pleased to go into the breather with the score at a respectful 12-3 in Nadroga’s favour.
It took four minutes of the second half for Nadroga to claim their third try of the game as Waqatabu stepped and weaved his way toward the goal line with inside centre Paula Karatu on hand to score. 

Six minutes later and Waqatabu claimed his second and Nadroga’s fourth as he out-paced the covering Nadi defense to score a length of the field try. 

With the bonus point safely won Nadroga coach Esala Nauga put in the reserves and was rewarded on the stroke of full time with Sakiusa Navaka chasing Tabulawaki’s educated chip to score in the corner. 


Nadi
1. Sikeli Gavidi (cpt), 2. Robert Delai, 3. Bese Buinimasi, 4. Vatili Saqiwa, 5. Viliame Ratute, 6. Turuva Lumelume, 7. Kolaia Bucalevu, 8. Kelepi Ketedromo, 9. Semi Keli, 10. Sunia Vata, 11. Eseroma Naba, 12. Josateki Turuva, 13. Joseva Varasikete, 14. Inoke Cakautini, 15. Taniela Driu. Reserves - 16. Vili Veikoso, 17. Ravuama Samo, 18. Iliavi Vadrawale, 19. Jiuta Takubu, 20. Inia Naqia, 21. Jone Dau, 22. Vima Tuidraki.
Nadroga
1. Iliesa Hanimo, 2. Seremaia Naureure, 3. Tiko Matawalu, 4. Seko Kalou, 5. Tevita Cavubati, 6. Ratu Aca Ratuva, 7. Semesa Gonevou, 8. Nemani Nagusa, 9. Samu Laqai, 10. Jonetani Ralulu, 11. Sakiusa Navaka, 12. Paula Karatu, 13. Aporosa Tabulawaki (1), 14. Apisalome Waqatabu, 15. Aisea Natoga. Reserves - 16. Peni Ravai, 17. Rt Penijamini Makutu, 18. Apisai Domolailai, 19. Rt Mosese Volavola, 20. Atonia Bula, 21. Jonetani Ratu, 22. Adriu DelaI.