Nadroga retain BSP Farebrother against Suva 23 July, 2011 2011 BSP Farebrother Series – Challenge 4
Saturday, 16 July 2011
National Stadium, Suva 

Nadroga 11 (3)
Try: Mitieli Nacagilevu Pen: Jonetani Ralulu (2)
Suva 8 (8)
Tries: Maikeli Mocetadra Pen: Sunia Bainivalu 

Referee: Samuela Tuidraki
Kick Off: 3:30 PM
Conditions: Cool, overcast and occasional drizzle
Crowd: 4000 

Nadroga and Suva produced by far the best BSP Farebrother game of the season as the defending champions held off the visitors, but only just, winning 11-8. Had the normally reliable Jaoji Dakuvula not missed three penalty attempts and a conversion the coveted Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy could well have been heading back down the Queens Highway. 

Scrum time as Suva's Nikola Matawalu looks on.

Despite the low score line the game was high intensity from the outset as Suva set about proceedings with real purpose. However Suva were kept at bay by some brutal defense led by Nadroga prop Penijamini Makutu. The defense at times bordering on the dangerous, however Dakuvula unable to convert then penalty opportunities. 

A Jonetani Ralulu gave Nadroga the lead on the 8th minute in front of a vociferous home crowd who were stunned into complete silence ten minutes later when Mitieli Mocetadra beat the tackles of Apisalome Waqatabu and Aporosa Tabulawaki along the near sideline to score in the corner. 

With their tails up Suva and Mocetadra almost had a second in the 26th minute as he fended off a weak attempt from Iliesa Ratuva, but with no defenders in front of him Mocetadra put a foot into touch and the opportunity was gone. 

Behind on the scoreboard things got worse for the hosts in the 29th minute when Nadroga captain Tiko Matawalu was sinbinned for a reckless shoulder charge. Suva though could only manage a solitary penalty to flyhalf Sunia Bainivalu as Suva went into the breather 8-3 ahead. 

In the second half SUva were penalized when winger SIkeli Vurunaq was penalized. Nadroga made immediate use of their one man advantage in the backline when from the line-out they spun the ball wide with purpose for fullback Mitieli Nacagilevu to score in the corner. 

Ralulu missed the conversion but made amends with a 51st minute penalty to give his side an 11-8 advantage. Despite Suva’s late efforts desperate defense in the end gave Nadroga the win as they held on to complete their eleventh straight defense of the Farebrother-Sullivan trophy, 

Next week the men from the Sugar City, Lautoka, make their assault on the coveted trophy.