Fiji down Flames in playoff

PAPUA New Guinea fell to fellow Melanesians Fiji 5.7 (37) 1.1 (7) in their International Cup women’s division fifth-place playoff last Friday.
In cold and windy conditions at McAlister Park, Melbourne, a brave PNG Flames outfit succumbed to the bigger Vonu in a physical encounter.
Fiji dominated the opening quarter winning the aerial contests and possessions although they did not have much to show for it. The led by two at quarter’s end.
The attack on the ball in the second term was ferocious from both teams, but Vonu looked to be the stronger team. The physicality of the game took a tool with the Vonu’s Illiseva Ratudina getting knocked out while taking a mark.
The pattern of torrid exchanges and aggressive ground play by the Flames and collisions in the air continued unabated with the halftime seeing Fiji nose ahead to four points to PNG’s nil.
Fiji were able to keep the Flame scoreless over two quarters was telling as the PNG girls had come off a goal fest in their previous match against Pakistan last Thursday where they won 150-0.
The Flames managed to slot their first goal in the third term but despite getting that monkey off their backs they still faced mountain as the Vonu’s intensity showed no signs of lessening.
Tempers flared mid-way through the quarter with a scuffle being broken up by the umpire and his assistants. Fiji’s Matelita Tuilevuka came off with a bleeding nose but order was restored and the women got back to playing.
The hard contests and rugged play continued and Flames’ Miriam Agita copped a knock but left the field on her own.
Fiji kicked a goal to be five points ahead at three-quarter time.
The Vonu broke away in the final quarter with their size and power finally winning them the ball and momentum against Flames.