In an exhilarating encounter, Army Green triumphed over Lakeba with a close score of 20-19 in the Suva Rugby Union Escott Shield quarter-final at Buckhurst Park in Suva yesterday.
The match began with both teams displaying fierce competitiveness. Lakeba initiated the scoring with a try from Penivalo Kuruvoli, but Army Green quickly leveled the playing field with a try from winger Apisai Ravueta, leading 12-5 at halftime.
As the second half unfolded, Lakeba made a strong comeback, reducing the deficit to 12-10 despite missing a conversion. They then took the lead by executing three successful penalty kicks, bringing the score to 19-15 in their favor.
However, in the dying moments of the match, Kavekini Tanivanuakula of Army Green penetrated Lakeba’s defense and secured the winning try for his team.
After the intense match, Army Green’s head coach, Usa Mataki, commended Lakeba for their commendable performance. “It was really a tough match, Lakeba did really well in this match,” Mataki remarked.
Despite acknowledging the errors made by his team, Mataki expressed gratitude for the victory and recognized the pressure both teams endured throughout the game. “It was a hard-fought battle from the get-go, the pressure was on from both sides, but I’m thankful for the win,” he added.
Looking ahead to the semi-final, Mataki stressed the importance of addressing improvement areas and focusing on resting and preparing for the next challenge.
In another quarter-final, Police defeated Lomaiviti Black with a score of 26-12.