Big Oki shines in Piggies onslaught

 By KYMLIE KARANI

Kemele Construction University Piggies’ George Oki scored a hat trick of tries in their triumphant 34-22 win over Gogo Nova on Saturday at the Monier Rugby Park.

The former Pukpuk, part Central and East New Britain, featured extremely well for his side in the final round of the Capital Rugby Union competition.

Despite the absence of key forwards Billy Torea and Joshua Vakona, the much younger Nova side led by skipper Mick Rau, was a threat against the Piggies.

Both teams held strong defensive lines when Oki slashed through to score the opening try for the Piggies. His converted try took Piggies to lead 7-0.

Nova responded with an unconverted try from tight head prop Rau to shorten the margin 7-5.

Though Nova lacked weight in the scrums, which saw them being pushed and shoved by the Piggies, they still managed to hold up a couple of Piggies tries.

Oki again was on the go when he scored his second try off a 5 meter scrum to take Piggies ahead 12-5.

Piggies third try came from speedy winger Dean Manale for a 17-5 lead.

Piggies again scored through open side flanker Gabriel Lovare from an offload from Oki setting the try.

Nova made use of a penalty, just before halftime, sending Rau breaking through the Piggies defensive line  for his second try.

They went into the break with Piggies leading 24-12.

Nova came back firing in the second half through young guns Nane Amona, Goa, Sen Hugo Jnr and Tivaum Gigimat.

Their efforts paid off with try from Manu Guise to bring the scores to 24-17.

With a staggered Piggies defence, Nova’s fly half Amona kicked a grubber sending young Gigimat to touch down, and trailing by two points, 24-22.

Though the young guns held an impressive defence line, Piggies danger man Oki crossed over for 29-22.

Piggies Kevin Vitolo scored the winning try right before fulltime to take his team to victory 34-22.

In the other premier match, Defence defeated Lasallians 36-14, Trukai Harlequins knocked out Juggernauts 45-23 while Brothers thrashed Warriors 72-5.

The semi finals will commence this weekend with Harlequins, Piggies, Defence and Wanderers vying for the premiership title.