Kautu kicks six penalties to help Brothers sink University

FLY-HALF Jonah Kautu Jr kicked six penalties to help Kramer Ausenco Brothers beat Gangloff Consulting University Piggies 30-11 in their Capital Rugby Union premier division round-17 match at Bava Park on Saturday.
The Piggies started well with back-rower Barol Homerang beating the defence on a diagonal run to score a try in the opening five minutes.
Uni No.10 Norman Peter missed the conversion but made up for it later with a brace of penalties to see the men in sky blue up 11-0 against the competition leaders.
The brethren proved why they are the comp’s top side with a typical response midway through the opening stanza when rampaging prop Tony Sipa broke through the Piggies defence to crash over near the uprights.
Kautu opened his account with an easy goal from in front for the men in black to trail 7-11.
Brothers then took the lead late in the half through winger Dumoya Dogono who dotted down in the corner 10 minutes before the halftime siren.
Kautu missed the sideline conversion but Brothers had a slender 12-11 lead.
University then conceded two ruck penalties for Kautu to edge Brothers further ahead 18-11.
Uni’s cohesion in the halves was not at its best with Peter and No.9 Kenneth Vagi struggling to re-align and re-set the defensive lines and offence as Brothers hurried them at every opportunity.
Despite playing with a man down over a chunk of the second half after the yellow-carding of blindside flanker Geita Raka and then tight-head prop Markham Tanele, Brothers never lost the momentum as Uni inadvertently gave away penalties in their over exuberance to cash in on the extra man they had.
Kautu, who had slotted seamlessly to halfback early in the first half, brought his experience to bear in these crucial moments opting for the penalty goals to settle his team and chew up the clock and with the help of an easterly wind kicked four penalties two of which were long range efforts (both close to halfway).
Among Brothers’ best were Loose-head Sipa, captain and lock Ahulo Ottio, whose work rate was unparalleled and backed up by fellow lock Nelson Thoa.
Winger Leo Tiko Jr’s hard running ensured his side always had front-foot ball.