The Vanuabalavu team delivered an impressive performance, securing a thrilling 22-16 victory over Covenant Red in an exciting match during the ninth round of the FMF Suva Rugby Union Koroturaga competition held yesterday at the Suva Grammar grounds.
Both teams showcased strong defensive skills in the first half, resulting in a narrow score of 10-8 in favor of Vanuabalavu. In the second half, Covenant Red made a strategic move with Lock Pio Nasau’s penalty kick, briefly taking the lead at 11-10.
However, Vanuabalavu responded decisively with two remarkable tries, widening their lead to 22-11. Despite Covenant Red’s late effort to score, it was insufficient as Vanuabalavu secured the win with a final score of 22-16.
Vanuabalavu’s head coach, Niumaia Serevi, praised both teams for the competitive match and highlighted Covenant Red’s solid performance. “It was really a great game; Covenant really gave us a great challenge,” Serevi commented.
He noted that the first half was intense due to the close score and emphasized the need for his team to focus on ball retention and defense in the second half. “Our set-pieces were lacking, and that is something we need to improve on for our next match,” he added.
Serevi expressed gratitude to the team, supporters, parents, and fans of Vanuabalavu, dedicating the victory to everyone involved in the team’s journey.