Date: Friday, 27th June
Venue: Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
In a spirited contest on Friday afternoon, the Silktails battled hard against the Storm in Round 17 of the Jersey Flegg competition but ultimately fell short, suffering a 36-14 defeat. Despite the loss, there were moments of promise and resilience that the Silktails can build towards our first ever game in New Zealand this week.
First Half Recap:
The match got off to a rapid start, with the Storm striking first just two minutes into play through their dynamic winger Amaziah Murgha. His early try set the tone, putting immediate pressure on the Silktails.
Facing an uphill battle, our boys responded in admirable fashion. Asalusi Nagicu showcased his strength and agility, crashing over for the Silktails’ first try in the 17th minute, which was expertly converted by Melkiseteki Nacaginiimasei, drawing the teams level momentarily.
However, the Storm quickly regained control, with Jai Bowden and Waka Hammond each crossing the line before the break, leaving the Silktails trailing 16-8 at halftime. Despite the scoreline, the Silktails demonstrated spirit and determination, and they knew they had the potential to rebound in the second half.
Second Half Highlights:
The second half kicked off with the Silktails seeking to close the gap, but the Storm maintained their momentum, with Luke Cesari extending the lead shortly after the restart. Amaziah Murgha continued to excel, completing his hat-trick with tries in the 49th and again in the closing stages of the match, further cementing the Storm’s dominance.
In a moment of perseverance, our team showed heart as Adrea Ramabuke crossed for a second try, putting more points on the board for the Silktails. Though they had their moments, the Silktails were unable to overcome the Storm’s relentless attack, finding themselves on the wrong side of a 36-14 result by full-time.
Standout Performers:
- Silktails: Melkiseteki Nacaginiimasei was a beacon of consistency, successfully converting both tries and kicking a crucial penalty goal. His presence under pressure was invaluable in the team’s efforts to stay competitive.
- Storm: Amaziah Murgha’s exceptional performance, which included three tries, marked him as a player to watch, showcasing his pace and skill throughout the game.
Coach’s Quote:
“It was tough watching the game against the Storm; the errors were frustrating. We lost the game because of the errors that we made. We lost a few balls from the yardage sets, and the Storm capitalized on it. All in all, I think it was our inconsistency that has been costing us games. If we can pull it together and be consistent for 80 minutes, keeping errors to a minimum or avoiding them altogether, we could have won against the Storm,” Head Coach Timoci Duve
Final Score:
Silktails 14 – 36 Storm
