Defence books finals berth

 DEFENCE are in the Capital Rugby Union (CRU) grand-final.

That follows their overpowering 22-6 win over reigning premiers Harlequins at the Monier Park yesterday.

The men from Murray Barracks now wait for the winner of the preliminary final between Trukai Harlequins and Kemele University Piggies this Saturday.

The Piggies scored two tries to centre John Monie and the clincher to number eight George Oki to beat PNG Ports Wanderers 19-12 in a grinding minor semi-final win on Saturday.

But it was in yesterday’s major semi-final that saw Defence assert their authority as the team to beat.

Both sides fielded a big pack of forwards, with Harlequins returning Gabriel Biyama, Monty Diave and Leme Tole back from injuries.

It was a fiery contest in the midfield.

The teams opted to kick penalties in the opening minutes of the game to get on the score sheet through Kirarok Ngaffin and Rolland Namo for Harlequins. Defence, showing more intent outwide, did not take long to open up the scoring through pacey winger Robert Boli with a decisive break down the right flank.

Boli outpaced opposite Oswald Gela, the cover tackle of centre Emmanuel Auru and then fullback Tisa Kautu to score the opening try in emphatic fashion from 30 metres out.

Despite Harlies showing promise with several surging runs from lock Biyama, Tommy Kivu and Diave, Defence were up to the task. 

Defence could have extended the lead when nippy playmaker Titus Lunguni slipped past his opposite Jonah Kautu Junior an open try-line 90m ahead of him.

Gela, looking to atone for his mistake earlier, ran Lunguni down five metres from the line.

 With that 10-3 lead at half-time, Harlequins stepped up the pressure and were camped inside Defence’s 22 for the opening 20 minutes of the second half without success.

Defence loose forwards Chris Namani, Joshua Sagati, Jeremy Kuveu and locks Dudley Agovaua and Kevin Wail put in a mountain of work to deny a late fightback.

Harlequins made several crucial errors with a fumble from fullback Solomon Bukam inside his 22 that cost his side dearly. Kuveu was already smiling with the chance and did not let his coach Sidney Wesley down with his trademark run from the back of the scrum to stretch their lead to 15-3. Despite a late penalty from Kautu Jr, Defence shut the gates through loosey Grant Gawi on the stroke of fulltime for the win.