Last-gasp win for Babas

The Fiji Times - Saturday, May 03, 2008 10:19 PM

NALUWAI farmer Amani Boseiwaqa was the hero at Lawaqa Park yesterday when he successfully landed a penalty from within a metre from the sideline to beat the Tau’uta Reds 25-24 and give the Barbarians coaching staff a sigh of relief.

The Babaas were winless until yesterday and thanks to Boseiwaqa’s left footer they are still in contention for the title.

“I knew the kick would be difficult from the corner and the result of the game rested on my shoulders,” said Boseiwaqa. “But I was 100 per cent sure I would succeed.”

And succeed he did as the ball sailed right into the middle of the uprights to the dismay of the Tongan fans who were so vocal throughout the match.

The match was a typical Pacific rugby rivalry with a lot of thumping tackles and jersey pulling.

Tongan lock Sione Ti-mani suffered a black eye after he was thumped by Babaas prop Sikeli Gavidi.

Samoan referee Kelekolio Petero was on the spot and sent Gavidi to the sin-bin to cool off.

The Tongans were leading 12-0 with two tries and a penalty most of the first half before the Babaas right winger Ropate Ratu outpaced his opposite number to the tryline.

The conversion failed and had the Tongans leading 12-5 at the break.

In the second half, the local side reduced the deficit from a Boseiwaqa penalty after 10 minutes for a 12-8 scoreline.

The heavier Tongan forwards replied with their third try after bulldozing their way towards the tryline. The kick succeeded to increase the lead to 19-8.

There were few aimless kicking from the Fijian backline which Tongans turned into attack.

However, the relentless lighter Fijian forwards never gave an inch back but fought gallantly knowing a loss would see the end to their claim to the title.

Their effort resulted in a try by Nasama villager Ratu Josefa Nagata after he carried a couple of red jerseys to the tryline, 19-15. Boseiwaqa kicked his second penalty for a 19-18 points difference in the 28th minute.

The Tongans came back strongly and used their forwards to full advantage pushing the Fiji pack backward which resulted in a try to tight-head prop Sateki Matau.

But the conversion failed to make it a 24-18 ball game.

Fiji regrouped and took the game to the Tongans. After a quick succession of rucks the ball swung to the backline and Tikiko Uluiviti raced for a touchdown in the corner with two minutes of play remaining.

The conversion from Boseiwaqa sealed the game for a 25-24 victory to the Barbarians.

“Lucky they won as we outplayed their forwards,” said Tongan skipper Lotu Filepine.

“They have to improve their game, especially their forwards, if they want to win in Tonga next week.”

Despite the loss, the Tongans scored two bonus points for scoring four tries and losing within seven points.

Babaas manager Isei Rayawa said they were still in contention for the title.

“We’re still developing these players to win and not to lose and I urge the fans to be a bit patient and see these guys in a couple of years,” said the Kadavu native.

“They are local boys plucked out of the local Colonial Cup competition.”