The Tautahi Gold gained their first win in the IRB Pacific Cup Tournament by beating the Air Pacific Fijian Warriors 13-10, at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa this afternoon.

It was a close encounter in a wet, muddy and slippery field. There was only a light shower throughout the game but it has been raining in Nuku'alofa during the week, with a heavy downpour last night. The soft ground condition could have been exploited by either team, by the Warriors because they are more familiar with playing in soft ground, and by the Tautahi Gold because of their physical and forward driving style of playing rugby.

The Tautahi Gold put the first points on the scoreboard from a penalty conversion by Fangatapu 'Apikotoa, to lead by 3-0.

Both teams did not settle down until the final quarter of the first half, persistent attacks by the Warriors resulted in a try under the goal. It was a easy conversion and the Warriors led by 7-3.

Immediately, the Tautahi Gold hit back with a try by Fotofili Filimoehala after a very physical drive by the Tautahi forwards. Fangatapu was successful with his conversion and the Tautahi took the lead again 10-7, and that was the score at the break.

During the second half both teams went into their attacking mode, but there was no try in the second half. The only points came from penalty conversions, first by the Warriors in early part of the second half to make the score 10-10 where it remained until Fangatapu converted another penalty within the last 20 minutes to make it 13-10.

It was the first win by the Tautahi Gold, who have so far lost two of their three games of the tournament. The Warriors have also won one of their last three matches, after beating the Samoa Savai'i last week.