Savai'i Samoa victory in Teufaiva mud [1]
Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 19:53. Updated on Friday, June 13, 2014 - 20:09.
By Pesi Fonua
The Tautahi Gold nearly drowned at Teufaiva Stadium on Saturday, April 22 when they were beaten by the Savai'i Samoa 26-13 in an IRB Pacific Cup round two match.
It was a battle in the mud, in a game that did not really get going until the second half when both teams decided to get their shirts dirty.
At the end of the first half the score was 6-3 for Savai'i. A minute from the start of the second half the Tautahi equalised the score with a penalty conversion and made it 6-6, but from then on, until the dying minutes of the game, Savai'i was in control.
They scored the first try of the game which was successfully converted by Rambo Tavana to make it 13-6, followed by a drop kick from the talented No. 10 Rambo, to make it 16-6, and soon after, Rambo converted a penalty to put Savai'i further ahead 19-6. The Tautahi's hopes for victory faded away when No. 8 Euelani Fale crashed through for a converted try, giving them a comfortable lead of 26-6.
A final gasp from the Tautahi was rewarded with a converted try to No. 15, Samisoni Pone, and at full time the score was 23-13. The defeat was a set back for the Tautahi, after their success in 'Apia last week by beating the 'Upolu Samoa 20-18.
At the end of round two of the IRB Pacific Cup at the weekend, Savai'i Samoa is at the top of the IPRC table with a 100% record, unbeaten in two games. In second place is the Fijian Warriors who drew with the 'Upolu Samoa at Apia Park 8-8, and it third place is the Tau'uta Red who beaten the Fijian Barbarians 17-14, and in fourth place is the Tautahi with one win and at the bottom of the pile are 'Upolu Samoa and the Fijian Barbarians who have not won a game yet.