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Wardens bag $10,000
The Fiji Times - Saturday, March 08, 2008 11:50 PM
PRISONS Gold ended a six-year drought when it won the 32nd Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens tournament with a 33-19 win over Army Red at the National Stadium in Suva yesterday.
Two tries to Manueli Gade gave the men from the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua an early lead before the wardens replied with five unanswered tries.
Former Fiji sevens rep Epeli Dranivasa, who was named player of the tournament, led the wardens well, sparking some scintillating moves that steered his team back.
Army, under the leadership of forward Napolioni Naulia and experienced back Setereki Tuinabewa, looked to have runaway with the game after Gade’s tries.
Prisons hit back with a try to Isoa Donaldson at the breather to trail 7-14.
Three further tries to Prisons, two of them scored by Nawerecagi and Cakau put the side ahead a 24-14.
A penalty try to the wardens put them out of reach before Army’s Peni Bavia crossed over at the death.
Prisons coach Gabrieli Naborisi said his team had prepared well for the tournament and had expected to reach the final. “We had prepared well physically and spiritually. We had prepared one month before the tournament,” Naborisi said.
He said they had strategically planned their game to catch their opponents off guard, sending in Cakau, Mawi and Nawerecagi as impact players. This worked well to their advantage with the three using their experience to guide the side back on track.
“We didn’t feel pressured when Army was leading. We remained confident all the time and relied on our fitness,” Naborisi said.
“Our game plan was to use the width of the field and close them down.
“We wanted to keep the pressure on them and cut down their space, which we successfully did.”
The side will now prepare for the Fiji Bitter Nawaka Sevens tournament in Nadi next week. Army secured a spot in the final after running riot over a lack luster City Eagles outfit 24-0.
Prisons disposed off Veiyasana 24-14 win.
Prisons: Sailosi Naiteqe, Pio Tuwai Naborisi, Mosese Vatunitu, Iliaseri Qalica, Isoa Donaldson, Epeli Dranivasa (capt), Mitieli Tokalau. Reserves: Setefano Cakau, Tomasi Mawi, Akuila
Nawerecagi. Coach Gabrieli Naborisi, manager Viliame Bulewa.
Army: Napolioni Naulia (capt), Savenaca Tukitoga, Waisale Sorokacika, Iliavi Satala, Sakaraia Tuinabewa, Peni Tabala, Manueli Gade. Reserves: Apimeleki Tovuto, Peni Bavai, Tevita Rabukawaqa, Jovilisi Vuniwaqa. Coach Nemani Matirewa, manager Saula Koro.
