Suva defeats Nadroga 32-26 in Skipper Cup at the ANZ Stadium

Suva fought hard and survived a late scare to register a 32-26 bonus-point win over Nadroga in the Skipper Cup this afternoon at the ANZ Stadium.

Misaele Petero scored a hat trick while James Brown twice crossed the Nadroga try-line.

Suva kept Nadroga scoreless in the first half and led 22-0 at half-time.

Suva got its first try in the 20th minute when Jone Manu sent a floating pass to Misaele Petero who scored in the corner.

Sluggish Nadroga defence allowed Petero to score an easy try for Suva in the 35th minute as the Capital City side led 20-0.

Nadroga started the second half well and looked a changed side. They applied relentless pressure on Suva.

Mesake Tuinamena scored Nadroga’s first try in the 47th minute after an intercept in Suva’s 22.

Setefano Somoca got the second try for Nadroga in the 58th minute.

Apisalome Waqatabu also kicked five penalties and one conversion for Nadroga but it was not enough to stage a successful comeback against a determined Suva outfit.

Suva is leading the Skipper Cup points table with 29 points while Nadroga has 26 points.

In other Skipper Cup matches, Nadi defeated Yasawa 19-7, Namosi defeated Tailevu 21-15 and Naitasiri beat Lautoka 25-16.

Full time - Suva defeats Nadroga 32-26 in Skipper Cup at the ANZ Stadium.

75^th minute Suva 32-26 Nadroga. Serupepeli Vularika misses the conversion.

74^th minute Suva 32 - 26 Nadroga.  James Brown goes on to score his 2nd try.

65^th minute Suva 27-26 Nadroga. Serupepeli Vularika misses the conversion.

64^th Suva 27-26 Nadroga Misaele Petero gets his hat-trick for Suva.

59^th minuteNadroga 26-22 Suva. Apisalome Waqatabu kicks the conversion.

58^th minute Nadroga 24-22 Suva. Setefano Somoca scores for Nadroga. Unbelievable comeback from the Stallions.

56^th minute Suva 22-19 Nadroga.  Apisalome Waqatabu kicks another successful penalty.

55^th minute Nadroga get another penalty inside Suva’s 22.

53^rd minute Nadroga well in command and making a comeback.

52^nd minute Suva 22-16 Nadroga. Apisalome Waqatabu kicks another successful penalty.

48^th minute Suva 22-13 Nadroga. Apisalome Waqatabu kicks the conversion for Nadroga.

47^th minute. Suva 22-11 Nadroga. Nadroga get an intercept inside Suva’s 22 and Mesake Tuinamena scores Nadroga’s first try.

46^th minute. Suva 22-6 Nadroga. Apisalome Waqatabu kicks another penalty.

 45^th minute. Nadroga applying pressure and get another penalty.

43^rd Suva 22-3 Nadroga, Apisalome Waqatabu kicks the penalty for Nadroga.

42^nd minute. Nadroga get an early penalty.

Second half kicks off. Suva leading Nadroga 22-0.

Half-time Suva 22-0 Nadroga

38^th minute Suva defenders push Nadroga back into their own territory and have guarded their tryline brilliantly.  

36^th minute Suva 22-0 Nadroga. Serupepeli Vularika successful with the conversion.

35^th minute Suva 20-0 Nadroga. Sluggish Nadroga defence allows Misaele Petero to score an easy try.

34^th minute Suva 15-0 Nadroga. Serupepeli Vularika successful with the conversion.

33^rd minute Suva 13-0 Nadroga. Suva score their second try through a powerful scrum drive.

32^nd minute Suva leading 8-0 against Nadroga.

31^st minute Suva on attack again and they get another penalty inside Nadroga’s 22 as a Nadroga defender did not roll away

 30^th minute Suva’s defence passes the first test and recover well.

28^th Nadroga finally get the ball and get a penalty inside Suva’s territory. Emosi Vucago knocks the ball close to Suva’s tryline

 26^th minute Suva 8-0 Nadroga. Serupepeli Vularika kicks an easy penalty for Suva.

25^th  minute Suva’s forwards dominating and get another penalty inside Nadroga territory.

22^nd minute Suva miss conversion. They lead Nadroga 5-0.

20^th minute Suva leading 5-0. Jone Manu sends a floating pass to Misaele Petero who scores Suva’s first try.

18^th minute Nadroga has great defensive structure and has prevented Suva from registering points.

15^th minute Nadroga 0-0 Suva.

13^th minute Nadroga has solid defence and is not allowing Suva to score.

12^th minute Suva’s Manoa Tamaya dives over Nadroga try line but the referee rules no try as the ball held up.

11^th minute Suva gets scrum penalty. They are still camping inside Nadroga’s 22.

10^th minute Suva gets a penalty just a few meters away from Nadroga try line.

8^th minute Suva with early possession and looks the better of the two teams.

1st half in progress Nadroga 0 - 0 Suva.

A minute of silence observed at the ANZ Stadium for the late Lemeki Koroi.

Stay with us for live updates of Nadroga vs Suva Skipper Cup match.