On August 19, 1984, the Nadroga Stallions upheld their undefeated status by defeating Lautoka in a hard-fought match. The contest, hosted at Churchill Park, showcased the Stallions’ continued dominance in the Air Pacific-FRU competition, culminating in a 17-9 victory.
A lively crowd of 4,500 witnessed the match, which featured significant displays of skill and determination from both teams. Nadroga quickly took control, establishing territorial dominance and scoring early points courtesy of a penalty kick from Tawake Dakunibubului, who successfully converted from 40 meters.
This initial lead motivated Nadroga’s players, especially their forwards, who excelled in lineouts, scrums, and maintaining possession. A spectator commented on the forwards’ remarkable performance, noting their ability to keep Lautoka on the defensive throughout the first half.
The first significant scoring break occurred in the 34th minute, when Sunia Nadruku executed a critical kick that set up a scoring chance. Despite some early hiccups, former Stallion Jone Ratu capitalized on the moment, diving over the try line to secure a 7-0 lead at halftime.
During the intermission, another fan remarked on Lautoka’s determined defensive effort, which aimed to prevent Nadroga from extending their score.
The second half featured Lautoka making a valiant effort to narrow the score, starting with a penalty kick converted by Nasoni Buli. However, Nadroga responded with tenacity, and Peceli Tuisawau scored a try 15 minutes into the half, increasing the lead to 11-3.
Many observers praised Lautoka’s efforts, particularly captain Eneri Ratudradra’s impactful play in seeking to breach Nadroga’s defense. In the final moments of the match, Lautoka pushed hard for a turnaround, but Nadroga’s defense remained steadfast, thwarting any late opportunities.
The match concluded dramatically in injury time when half-back Meli Nasauravua sprinted down the blind side from a scrum to score a decisive try. Dakunibubului’s successful conversion capped the score at 17-9, ensuring the Stallions maintained their perfect record in the competition.