Digicel Cup - Northland defeats Tailevu 27-18 01 April, 2011

Tailevu's Dan Ligairi sees red.

Friday, 1 April 2010
Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori

TAILEVU 18 (13)
Tries: Aisea Druma, Remesio Ravuiwasa Con: James Vuli Pen: Vuli (2)
Yellow card: Sevanaia Rayasi Red card: Dan Ligairi

NORTHLAND 27 (17)
Tries: Sireli Ledua, Niumaia Bari, Petero Nodrakoro, Joveci Kalou Con: Josevata Bola (2) Pen: Bola
Yellow card: Mika Tuitoga

Northland lock Joveci Kalou scored an injury time try to help his side claim maximum points against Tailevu this evening as they battled their way to a 27-18 win. 

Northland looked far the better side throughout the evening but struggled to cope with a team who’ve managed only victory in four outings this season. 

A James Vuli penalty in the first minute and an Aisea Druma try either side of a Josevata Bola penalty saw the red and whites of Tailevu race away to a 10-3 lead. 

Druma’s try came courtesy of a neat chip from number eight Vetaia Naisoro, which the flying winger collected to dive over and score in the corner in the 15th minute. Moments earlier Druma had been unlucky not to score after latching onto a searching kick from Vuli, only to be bundled into touch in the corner by impressive Northland winger Petero Nodrakoro. 

Tailevu's encouraging start was hindered when referee James Bolabiu yellow carded scrumhalf Sevanaia Rayasi enabling Northlandto  hit back almost immediately. Shunning the penalty attempt fullback Josevata Bola kicked for the touchline, and from the ensuing lineout Northland captaion Sireli Ledua was driven over. 

Bola made no mistake with the conversion and Northland were back on level terms with the game 21 minutes young. 

Six minutes later Northland stole the lead as flanker Niumaia Bari showed good leg drive to power over. Once again Bola made no mistake with the conversion as Northland led 17-10. 

A 30th minute Vuli penalty kept Tailevu in touch, however the flyhalf missed the opportunity to cut the deficit even further a minute before the breather as he went wide with a kick taken right beside the near upright. 

Northland went to the break with a deserved 17-13 lead. 

In the second half the game heated up as tempers began to flare on both sides. Then a moment of indiscipline from former national representative Dan Ligairi, as he went high in the tackle, left Bolabiu with no alternative but to flash the red card to the Tailevu rake. 

Northland soon took advantage of their extra man when Nodrakoro scored in the far corner. Despite the missed conversion Northland looked to have an unassailable lead. 

Tailevu though did show great tenacity to claim a score three minutes from fulltime, to skipper Remesio Ravuiwasa, to put them within bonus point range. However in the end it was not to be as Kalou’s late try sealed maximum points for Northland as well as denying Tailevu a much needed bonus point.