Harlequins pushed but comes good over Nova
Rugby Union
Wins are not coming that easy as most think.
Early favorites Harlequins nearly became a victim of that when an improved Moni Plus Nova outfit pushed them to the brink in premier grade Capital Rugby Union (CRU) on Saturday at the Bava Park.
Harlies tipped to push all the right buttons this season after knocking off title holders Kramer Ausenco Brothers in the opening round, were held 0-0 by the latter, before the colours finally gave their horde of supporters a reason to smile when they moved into high gear in the second-half to win 19-7.
Nova’s experienced hands in Douglas Guise and Cecil Davani played their roles to perfection to stem the tide of the powerfully new-look Harlies outfit in an arm-wrestle first-half.
However, despite the inclusion of former Queensland Reds Pettowa Paraka, who took the Nova scrum to a new dimension when he packed in at number 8 when he came off the bench, the colours re-grouped better to continue their unbridled form this season with three wins on the trot.
Paraka to his credit ignited three tight-heads against a much stronger Harlies scrum, in what was their highlight despite the loss.
The replacement of Guise in the second-half also saw the leadership breakdown.
In the other premier grade match on Saturday, reigning champions Brothers finally showed they mean business in retaining their title when they flexed their muscles in an overpowering 48-10 belting over Crusaders.
Despite being held 14-10 at half-time, the title holders forwards stepped on the gas to blow away any late challenge from the latter to secure an easy win.
In yesterday’s premier matches, Gangloff Consultancy University also nearly became victim of complacency against certain top four contenders Valley Hunters in a stifling clash.
Valley Hunters despite being cornered in their 22 for the opening 15 minutes, put on a three try blitz to have the Piggies shell-shocked.
Three tries to scrum-half Kitchani Thomas, centre Robin Suang and a slicer from playmaker Junias Sabbatha was enough to say the blue army were in trouble.
Only a ball handling error to Suang to allow Piggies flanker Barol Homerang to pounce on the loose ball for a 30 metre runaway try kept them in the game as they faced a 19-7 defecit at half-time.
As luck would have it, the Piggies managed to salvage some lost pride and maybe a lucky bounce of the ball to fight-back with three tries of their own to full-back Solomon Unobo, number 7 Himah Alu and the sealer to winger David Sosori from a chip and chase in the left
corner. Valley Hunters managed a penalty conversion to Thomas, but it wasn’t enough to cause a potential upset of the round.
Wanderers also salvaged some pride in denying LCR Juggernauts 20-8 in a good win as well.
After yesterday’s premier grade matches, University have crept to the lead following their bonus point win to 15 points, followed by Harlequins on 14, Brothers on 10, Valley Hunters on 10, Nova 5, Wanderers 4, Juggernauts 0 and Crusaders
0.
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