Magani hold out

 CA Magani held off a fast finishing ADIYAP United to win 6-0 in round one of the Tabubil A grade rugby league competition on Sunday.

The main game did not reach any great heights because of the heavy down pour which made playing conditions slippery.

Handling errors by both sides contributed to lost scoring opportunities. 

United in particular could not pe­netrate the brick wall defence set up by Magani after playing in their opposition territory for most of the second half.

United had plenty of ball and field position but just could not turn them into points.

Playmakers Loa David and Da­rusy Datyina were starved from making any great impact and could not get a combination going.

Even star fullback George Vanua was well marked by Magani players, who stopped him from creating his dangerous plays. 

Magani prop Jerick Tale got his first try of the season in the first half to put his side ahead.

Halfback Luke Leo could not covert the try but the Magani captain made up for that when he converted a penalty minutes later to get his team in front 6-0. 

That was the only points of the match as Magani held on to deny United.

Magani five-eighth Richard Maparu and his skipper could not knit good set play unlike the opening minutes when it was a show and tell play.

United skipper and second rower Augustine Rem tried in vain to motivate his troops to score tries but raid after raid Magani kept burying United’s hopes of notching a first win.

In the other A grade matches, Star Mountain Eagles beat Downer Tigers 8-0 and Tarangau crushed Faiwol Country 14-2.

HD Brothers were on bye.

In the schoolboys Under-16 games on Saturday, Star Mountain Eagles led by Shane Haro beat Downer Tigers 16-10 while Faiwol Country walked over Tarangau 18-4.

And ADIYAP United defeated CA Magani 6-4.