In an exhilarating quarter-final match of the Suva Rugby Union Escott Shield held at Buckhurst Park in Suva, Army Green triumphed over Lakeba with a nail-biting score of 20-19. The game had fans on the edge of their seats from the very beginning.
Lakeba kicked off the scoring with a try by Penivalo Kuruvoli, but Army Green swiftly responded with a try from winger Apisai Ravueta, leading 12-5 at halftime.
The second half saw Lakeba making a strong comeback, closing the gap with a try that brought the score to 12-10, albeit missing the conversion. Lakeba then took the lead with three successful penalty kicks, putting them ahead at 19-15.
In a dramatic turn of events in the closing moments, Army Green’s Kavekini Tanivanuakula broke through Lakeba’s defense to score the decisive try, clinching the victory for his team.
Army Green’s head coach, Usa Mataki, acknowledged the fierce competition, praising Lakeba for their formidable effort. “It was really a tough match, Lakeba did really well in this match,” Mataki stated.
Despite the errors made by his team, Mataki expressed gratitude for the victory and recognized the intense pressure experienced by both teams 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.
As Army Green looks ahead to their semi-final matchup, Mataki emphasized the importance of addressing weaknesses and ensuring the team is well-rested and prepared for the next challenge.
In the other quarter-final, Police beat Lomaiviti Black with a score of 26-12.