Harlies into semifinals of CRU

BY PARKER TAMBUA
HARLEQUINS booked a semifinal match this weekend after defeating Wanderers 17-5 in the Capital Rugby Union (CRU) elimination final at Bava Park on Saturday.
Assistant coach Robert Doko’s men scored all their points in the first half with two tries through forward Andre Tarere and winger Solomon Godfrey.
Ron Buttler converted both tries and kicked a penalty goal to win the game. Wanderers’ only scored a second-half consolation try, which was unconverted.
Doko told The National after the game that his men did not perform to their standards. However, he was happy to get the win and progress to the semifinal.
“We only scored in the first half, so we have a lot of work to do especially in terms of our execution,” he said.
“We are up against a pretty strong side in the semifinal, so if we don’t step up from this game, we may be kicked out of the contest for the premiership.” Doko praised his forwards who were dominant in the middle all match.
“I think our captain, Willie Kalai, led us well,” he said.
“Kalai was supported by loose forwards Caleb Nipal and Aaron Makara.
“They worked hard arcross the park and gave us the go-forward which gave our backs the momentum.”
Wanderers coach Shane Amean said he was happy with his side’s performances in the season despite bowing out in the first week of the finals.
He said the bulk of his players were rookies who would look to improve next season.