Suva pace sinks Rewa 19-8 15 May, 2011

Samu Bola gets the ball away for Suva.

Digicel Cup - Round 9
Burebasaga School Ground 

Rewa (3) 8
Try: Inoke Leweni
Pen: Vetaia Rokosuka
Suva (8) 19
Tries: Isikeli Vuruna, Kaminieli Neiqisa
Pen: Kaminieli Neiqisa, Jaoji Dakuvula (2)

Referee: Lote Sadranu
Weather: Sunny
Pitch: Soft and firm 

Despite dominating territory and possession for three-quarters of the game Suva struggled to overcome a tough Rewa side 18-9 at a sunny Burebasaga School Ground. While the direct approach and sheer brute force kept Rewa in the game it was to be the pace and agility of Suva which won the day. 

At the start of the encounter Rewa lay in third spot on the Digicel Cup table having lost only one game from eight starts including a nail-biting 27-29 round five away victory against 2010 Digicel Cup runners-up - Nadroga. Against Suva though Rewa struggled to get into top gear and despite the relative closeness of the score line never looked like winning. 

The visitors opened the scoring in the 11th minute as fly half Kaminieli Neiqisa struck a penalty from 40 metres out. A minute later impressive winger Sikeli Vuruna stretched the lead for the capital side with a try in the corner as the Rewa defense struggled all afternoon to deal with the running angles of the Suva backline and Vuruna in particular. 

It took almost 20 minutes for the hosts to make any significant inroads into the Suva half when they were rewarded with a Vetaia Rokosuka penalty. 

Despite Suva seeming to carve up territory each time the ball was swung through their backline there was to be no further change to the scoreboard by halftime. 

A trademark 50 metre penalty from Suva fullback Jaoji Dakuvula extended Suva’s lead in the 52nd minute and when Vuruna sliced through the Rewa backline, to off-load to Neiqisa to score Suva’s second try, three minutes later the game was as good as over for Rewa as Suva led 16-3. 

The hosts though weren’t about to lay down and surrender and a 66th minute try from Rewa prop Inoke Leweni, who crashed over eight metres out from a tap and go penalty, kept the pressure on Suva. In the end though a second 50 metre injury time effort from the impressive Dakuvula was enough to seal victory for Suva who are now almost guaranteed a Digicel Cup semi-final spot. 

Rewa
1. Rusiate Bakani, 2. Lemeki Tuyawa, 3. Inoke Leweni, 4. Mosese Tuqalo, 5. Rupeni Vasuikoro, 6. Lemeki Tudrau, 7. Esala Vakatekau, 8. Manueli Laqai (capt), 9. Jo Tukana, 10. Ifereimi Voivoi, 11. Mosese Volavola, 12. Andrea Yagomate, 13. Isimeli Sorokacoka, 14. Iowane Dovumatua, 15. Rokosuka Vetaia. Reserves 16. Uraia Kaci, 17. Penaia Namudu, 18. Mitieli Bose, 19. Tevita Cakacaka, 20. Leone Baraki, 21. Napolioni Seru, 22. Suliasi Vatulawa
Suva
1. Jo Dakuitoga, 2. Manasa Tuidraki, 3. Alifoso Yalayalatabua, 4. Sailasa Bolatagici, 5. Napolioni Naulia, 6. Alipate Mataivelia, 7. Samu Bola (capt), 8. James Brown, 9. Joeli Nabogikolo, 10. Kaminieli Neiqisa, 11. Isikeli Vuruna, 12. Benediti Koroi, 13. Leone Tabuarua, 14. Epeli Ruivadra, 15. Jaoji Dakuvula. Reserves 16. Chris Kauta, 17. Noa Nawaqarua, 18. Mosese Saunivanua, 19. Osea Matalolokula, 20. Aporosa Kenatale, 21. Josaia Lotawa, 22. Emosi Mulevoro