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Tailevu retains trophy
Fiji Times - Monday, October 29, 2007 7:46 AM
JAMES Vuli kicked three penalties and a drop goal to lift Tailevu to a 17-10 victory over Lautoka yesterday.
It helped his side retain rugby's most prestigious silverware, the Farebrother-Sullivan Cup at Vodafone Ratu Cakobau Park.
The slightly-built Tailevu stand-off is growing with confidence and improving his game in general play as well as his kicking as Tailevu's cup fairytale continues.
Both teams scored a try each. Lautoka dotted down through flyhalf Iliesa Nalawaniyavi on the stroke of full-time and Tailevu replied midway through the second spell when lock forward Peni Tora dived over in the corner. Both tries came from a lapse in concentration in defence by the teams.
Firstly, Tailevu ruggers were caught napping by a quick tap penalty close to their line. Similarly, a quick tap penalty inside the Lautoka 22 gave Tora the overlap outwide.
Tailevu forwards showed their dominance once more and with Lautoka infringing inside their 22, Vuli stepped up to boot an easy penalty from in front of the sticks.
He added a 35-metre drop kick to extend Tailevu's lead to 6-0 and another penalty made it 9-0. Just when Tailevu looked to be cruising, Lautoka hit back on the counter attack with Tailevu players infringing close to their line. Quick thinking by second five eight Kinijoji Manito put Nalawaniyavi over.
Nalawaniyavi converted and Tailevu led 9-7 at the break. Lautoka almost hit back after the breather but they lost the ball over the line. Tora's try and Vuli's penalty sealed victory for Tailevu with Nalawaniyavi adding a three-pointer for the Maroons.
