The Kaiviti Silktails produced a powerful second-half performance to defeat the Raiders 38-24 in an entertaining Jersey Flegg Cup Round 6 clash.
After racing to an early lead through tries to Jesse Milin and Luke Cannon, the Raiders looked in control during the opening half. Callum Dowell was accurate with the boot early, converting both tries to establish a 12-0 advantage inside the opening 13 minutes.
The Silktails responded through Tevita Wanisi, who crossed in the 20th minute, although the conversion was missed. The Raiders extended their lead again when Jesse Milin grabbed his second try of the afternoon in the 27th minute, with Dowell’s conversion pushing the score to 18-4.
However, the Silktails began to shift momentum before halftime. Tevita Wanisi crossed for his second try in the 35th minute before Iowani Mainalovo added the conversion to reduce the margin to 18-10 at the break.
The second half belonged to the home side.
Ratu Kikau struck first after halftime, with Mainalovo converting to close the gap to 18-16. Seru Kalounivalu then crossed shortly after, and Mainalovo’s sideline conversion gave the Silktails their first lead of the game at 24-18.
The Raiders hit back through Sylas Simon in the 66th minute to briefly regain momentum, but a missed conversion left the Silktails narrowly ahead 24-20. Iowani Mainalovo then had a conversion attempt waved away minutes later after the Silktails crossed again, keeping the contest alive.
From there, the Silktails took control completely. Mainalovo crossed himself in the 72nd minute before converting his own try to extend the lead to 32-24. Weni Turagaitoga sealed the result with a late four-pointer in the 79th minute, and Mainalovo capped off an outstanding individual performance with the final conversion after the siren.
Mainalovo finished with a major influence on the match, contributing a try and five goals, while Tevita Wanisi scored a double in the comeback victory.
Try Scorers
Kaiviti Silktails
- Tevita Wanisi (2)
- Ratu Kikau
- Seru Kalounivalu
- Iowani Mainalovo
- Weni Turagaitoga
Raiders
- Jesse Milin (2)
- Luke Cannon
- Sylas Simon
- Maikeli Sadranu
Goals
Kaiviti Silktails
- Iowani Mainalovo – 5 conversions
Raiders
- Callum Dowell – 4 conversions
Halftime
Raiders 18
Silktails 10
Fulltime
Silktails 38
Raiders 24
