Northland opened the Digicel Cup Round 9 matches with a major upset when they stormed past Naitasiri 15-13 in a stirring performance at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori this evening.

Northland won four of 11 games last season and was placed eighth in the standing compared to Naitasiri who had finished third but they took Naitasiri head-on and displayed a performance filled with character and no shortage of skill.

Northland team manager Kaliopasa Bogiva was pleased with his boys’ peformance saying he was not surprised by the outcome.

“The boys have really been giving their all every second time they take the field and I think it’s paying off,” Bogiva said. “And it did not come as a surprise when they pulled off this win against Naitasiri.”

However Bogisa said there is still a lot more work to be done.

“With us the goal is to continue to improve from where we left off in the previous match. We have two more games coming up and we are looking to try and work on the platform that has been set and improve on it.”

“We will not underestimate any team but focus on our game and the areas we can improve on to lift our overall performance in the remaining Digicel Cup matches we have left.”

Meanwhile Naitasiri manager Kelemedi Naidri was disappointed with the win.

“I thought the performance our players put up did not reflect what they were capable of,” Naidiri said. “There were too many mistakes committed and I thought we did not make the right decisions and chose wrong options.”

“But in saying that it’s not the end of the road for us. We still have time to work on our game and I have faith in the boys to rectify the mistakes and put our campaign back on track. And hopefully secure a berth in the Digicel Cup semi-final.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE UPDATED TABLE


Friday 15 August 2008
Naitasiri 13 Northland 17
Digicel Cup Round 9
Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori
Referee: Napolioni Locoloco
Half-time: 8-12
Att: 1,500

NAITASIRI: 15 Peni Naulivou (Jo Nakaira), 14 John Stewart (Semisi Muakalou), 13 Josefa Satini, 12 Saula Rabaka, 11 Mosese Luveitasau, 10 Rokini Kiliraki (Tieri Ratini), 9 Waisale Vatuvoka, 8 Senirusi Seruvakula, 7 Jese Cirikisuva, 6 Jokini Sivo, 5 Tokoni Luvu (Apisai Rinamalo), 4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 3 Masei Gaunavou (Lino Roseru), 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 1 Sakeo Latianara
Not used: Mitieli Kaicina, Nikolai Baleitamavua
Tries: Rabaka, Vatuvoka; Penalty goal: Naulivou
 
NORTHLAND: 15 Meli Vakalala (Maikeli Vasole), 14 Atunaisa Vodo, 13 Aisake Katonibau, 12 Ilaitia Rokotacoko (Josaia Waiwalu), 11 Samisoni Votua, 10 Nacanieli Nabobo, 9 Sailasa Vasua (Norani Vunakece), 8 Sefanaia Bogi, 7 Rosa Raravisa, 6 Lote Leva (Isireli Ledua), 5 Ilitomasi Nawalu, 4 Joveci Kalou, 3 Banuve Dretiverata (Josua Kaloutani), 2 Akariva Tiniciwaciwa, 1 Apisai Vere
Not used: Balawa Koroitamana, Vilimoni Malorua
Tries: Katonibau (2), Bogi; Conversion: Vakalala
 
Scoring Sequence (Naitasiri’s scores shown first):
12min – TRY NORTHLAND, Bogi; conversions Vakalala (missed) – 0-5
20min – PEN GOAL NAITASIRI, Naulivou – 3-5
32min – TRY NAITASIRI, Vatuvoka; conversion Naulivou (missed) – 8-5
38min – TRY NORTHLAND, Katonibau; conversion Vakalala – 8-12
Half-time
45min – TRY NORTHLAND, Katonibau; conversion Vakalala (missed) – 8-17
73min – TRY NAITASIRI, Rabaka; conversion Naulivou (missed) – 13-17
Full-time


Development XVs:  Naitasiri 7 Northland 0 (h-t: 0-0)

=====

Friday 15 August 2008
Rewa 9 Nadi 27
Digicel Cup Round 9
National Stadium, Suva
Referee: Jone Vunivalu
Half-time: 3-17
Att: 1,000

REWA: 15 Vetaia Rokosuka, 14 Suliasi Vatulawa, 13 Esala Dri, 12 Avisai Masikerei, 11 Savenaca Bulivakacegu, 10 Ulaiasi Rabesa, 9 Jo Tukana, 8 Niko Nawatu, 7 Esala Vakatekau, 6 Mosese Vatunitu, 5 Taniela Bukateci, 4 Savenaca Volau, 3 Jobe Sakealevu, 2 Inoke Leweni, 1 Tevita Deve (capt)
Reserves: Semi Sanaila, Manuela Laqai, Jone Buadromo, Lote Matetani Apenisa Dralia Alfred Vusonitokalau, Vetaia Rokosuka
Penalty goals: Rokosuka (2); Drop goal: Dri

NADI: 15 Asaeli Driu (capt), 14 Sionasa Vunisa, 13 Tevita Latianara (Iliesa Nalawaniyavi), 12 Vuniani Bari, 11 Eseroma Naba, 10 Kelevi Belo (Sunia Vata), 9 Semi Keli (Keni Momo), 8 Isei Lewaqai, 7 Kelepi Ketedromo, 6 Setareki Ratatagia (Aloesi Nailiko), 5 Turuva Lumelume, 4 Aseri Tale (Simione Tora), 3 John Jackson (Jo Dakuitoga), 2 Aseri Buli (Napolioni Dawai), 1 Viliame Seuseu
Tries: Tale (2), Lumelume, Seuseu; Conversion: Driu

Scoring Sequence (Rewa’s scores shown first):
9min – TRY NADI, Tale; conversion Driu (missed) – 0-5
13min – PEN GOAL REWA, Rokosuka – 3-5
25min – TRY NADI, Seuseu; conversion Driu – 3-12
31min – TRY NADI, Lumelume; conversion Driu (missed) – 3-17
Half-time
53min – PEN GOAL REWA, Rokosuka – 6-17
58min – DROP GOAL REWA, Dri – 9-17
71min – TRY NADI, Tale; conversion Driu (missed) – 9-22
75min – TRY NADI, Vunisa; conversion Driu (missed) – 9-27
Full-time

Development XVs:  Nadi 35 Rewa 9 (h-t: 10-9)