Fiji too good for Scotland
6-Feb-2010 03:37 PM

THE Digicel Fiji sevens team in their opening game of pool B at the Wellington Sevens outclassed a young Scotish team with superior skills and speed.

The Tanivula coached side started their campaign with a try to speed merchant Osea Kolinisau 30 seconds into the game after good ball retention from the kickoff by lanky Pio Tuwai.

Lutumailagi added two points from the conversion and from the restart Fiji again came firing with Tuwai winning possession and straight away the Fijians went from left to right giving Lutumailagi space to just score Fiji’s second try.

Missing the conversion, Fiji re-gathered at the half way and again winning the restart kick paid off for them as Burotu went in to score untouched and extending their lead to 17 points to Scotland’s nil.

The last few minutes of the first half play saw Scotland try their best to come back and score but relentless defence and support from the Fijians gave little space for the Scots to even make a half break.

Both teams rested at half time with Fiji leading by 17 to Scotland’s 0.

The second half started just as it were in the first where towering Tuwai won valuable ball and distributing it to his backs and giving Kolinisau his second try of the game and extending their lead to 24 points.

With three minutes remaining, Scotland staged a comeback and it paid through a blunder from Digicel Fiji team captain, Emosi Vucago who dropped a passing ball which allowed Scotland’s Collin Shaw to scoot down the sidelines and score their only consolation try.

With time running out, another blunder by Vucago could have caused another try to Scotland but good defence saw Fiji hold them off and causing a turn over and creating a gap for William Ryder to dot under the posts.

At 36 points to 5, Japanese referee, Hirabaiyashi whistled the game over just when Scotland was attacking hard at Fiji’s line, but again sound defence stood out for Fiji and held the Scots at bay.


By SOWANI KOROI