The Stallions gave the Roosters a lesson in skill, speed and possession at Lawaqa Park on Friday night when the outplayed the visitors 31-8 in Round Two of the Colonial Cup.

The Bligh Roosters showed some good intent early on, but failed to produce any points. And when the Stallions upped the tempo, the difference in execution became all too clear.

Stallions inside centre Timoci Mule shrugged off two tackle attempts to score the Stallions first try in the 18th minute. Fullback Simeli Koniferedi converted and the defending champions had set the pattern for the night.

They scored two more converted tries to lead 21-3 into the breather.

The Roosters came back rejuvenated in the second half with a different game plan, opting for short passes and running rugby with hope to wear out the Stallions’ dominant forward pack. But this was to no avail.

The Stallions notched another penalty goal via fly-half Kaminieli Neiqisa and scored their bonus point try, which was to be the second of the night for hardworking sub Seru Naqasima to cement the win.

The Roosters' consolation try came in the 61st minute through Vilimoni Bari when the Stallions were two men down (with Matawalu and Neivua in the sin bin).

Quotes:
Manasa Bari (Roosters Coach): I salute the boys performance today. This is the first time they are playing under the floodlights and they did well in the second half especially with the scores. The Stallions only scored from a loose ball.

Joji Rinakama (Stallions Coach): I was very happy about the first half performance but was not satisfied going into the second half especially on the indiscipline. It cost us more scoring opportunities in the second half.

 

 Friday 29 February, 2008

Stallions 31 Bligh Roosters 8
Colonial Cup Round 2
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
Half-time: 21-3
Referee: James Bolabiu
Attn: 2,500

 STALLIONS: 15 Simeli Koniferedi, 14 Epeli Vuicuvu, 13 Peni Tiko, 12 Timoci Mule, 11 Jona Nareki (Isoa Neivua 29, yellow card 67-76), 10 Kaminieli Neiqisa (Aminisitai Kunajuke 72), 9 Samu Laqai (Seru Naqasima 7), 8 Josefa Nagata (yellow card 22-31), 7 Tevita Tuilalawa, 6 Rupeni Nasiga (Asi Mocelutu 55), 5 Sikeli Donu (Joji Naqica 78), 4 Filipe Kuruvoli, 3 Apisai Turukawa (capt), 2 Viliame Gadolo (Seremaia Naureure 71), 1 Tiko Matawalu (yellow card 60-69, Alivereti Bure 69)
Coach: Joji Rinakama
Tries: Naqasima (2), Mule, Nasiga; Conversions: Neiqisa (3), Koniferedi; Penalty goal: Neiqisa

 
BLIGH ROOSTERS: 15 Sionasa Vunisa, 14 Samisoni Ralulu, 13 Sowani Toutou (Elia Nasa 56), 12 Peceli Rinakama (capt), 11 Mesulame Soga, 10 Vatimi Kenatale, 9 Tui Fagalele (Isei Matai 49), 8 Ilaitia Vuniwaqa (Emosi Mudu 17), 7 Jonetani Savuti (Jone Senileba 76), 6 Vilimoni Bari, 5 Akariva Tabutaci, 4 Malakai Bari, 3 Savenaca Driu, 2 Rosivela Toutou (yellow card 63-72, Joseva Tuivanua 73), 1 Iveri Momo
Not Used: Apisalome Take, Waisake Gaugau
Coach: Manasa Bari
Try: V Bari; Penalty goal: Kenatale


Scoring Sequence (Stallions’ scores shown first):
8min – PEN GOAL STALLIONS, Koniferedi (missed)  0-0
11min – PEN GOAL, BLIGH ROOSTERS, Vunisa (missed) – 0-0
15min – PEN GOAL, BLIGH ROOSTERS, Kenatale – 0-3
18min – TRY STALLIONS, Mule, conversion Koniferedi – 7-3
23min – PEN GOAL, BLIGH ROOSTERS, Kenatale (missed) – 7-3
27min – TRY STALLIONS, Naqasima, conversion Neiqisa – 14-3
34min – TRY STALLIONS, Nasiga, conversion Neiqisa – 21-3
Half-time
48min – TRY STALLIONS, Naqasima, conversion Neiqisa – 28-3
61min – TRY ROOSTERS, V Bari, conversion Kenatale (missed) – 28-8
65min – PEN GOAL STALLIONS, Neiqisa – 31-8
71min – PEN GOAL STALLIONS, Neiqisa (missed) – 31-8
Full-time