On August 19, 1984, the Nadroga Stallions preserved their unbeaten streak by defeating Lautoka in a tense match at Churchill Park. The Stallions emerged victorious with a score of 17-9 in the Air Pacific-FRU competition, showcasing their dominance in the game.
A crowd of 4,500 fans witnessed the action, which was marked by skillful play and determination from both sides. Nadroga quickly established control of the match, gaining an early lead with a penalty kick from Tawake Dakunibubului, who successfully scored from 40 meters out.
Nadroga’s forwards demonstrated their superiority in various aspects of the game, including lineouts and scrums. One spectator noted, “It was a delight to watch Nadroga’s forwards dominate,” highlighting their effective mauling and rucking that pressured Lautoka from the outset.
The breakthrough for Nadroga came in the 34th minute when Sunia Nadruku executed a well-placed kick that set up a scoring opportunity for former Stallions outside back Jone Ratu, who managed to dive over the try line. This effort gave Nadroga a 7-0 lead heading into halftime.
Observers remarked on Lautoka’s relentless defense, acknowledging their struggles to prevent Nadroga from widening the score gap. In the second half, Lautoka fought back, closing the score with a penalty by Nasoni Buli while defending staunchly against further Nadroga attacks.
Nevertheless, Nadroga’s resilience was evident, particularly with Peceli Tuisawau scoring a try fifteen minutes into the half, which extended their lead to 11-3. Spectators praised Lautoka’s attempts to breach Nadroga’s strong defense, including a vital try by captain Eneri Ratudradra.
As the match neared its conclusion, Lautoka intensified their efforts, seeking to reverse the scoreline. However, Nadroga’s backline remained steadfast, thwarting any further scoring attempts by Lautoka.
The match concluded with half-back Meli Nasauravua securing a final try in injury time by sprinting down the blind side from a scrum, sealing the Stallions’ victory. Dakunibubului’s successful conversion brought the final score to 17-9, ensuring Nadroga’s continued unbeaten status in the competition.