Niue score bonus point win against Vanuatu

THE Niue Ugas have regrouped well in the Oceania Cup to be on second place after beating a spirited Vanuatu Tuskers 32-13 in Port Moresby yesterday.
Coming into the game with a solitary bonus point from having finished within a converted try of the Solomon Island Warriors on Tuesday the Ugas responded with a much improved performance scoring four tries to get the bonus point.
Played in sweltering conditions Niue dominated the exchanges but conceded a try to Vanuatu winger Patrick August against the run of play when the speedster hacked a loose ball down field from inside his half to regather and score after seven minutes of play.
Niue replied through tighthead prop Morre Tukunui from a driving maul close to the line.
With the scores locked at 5-5 Niue edged ahead when centre Jaxon Samoa kicked a penalty in the 25th minute to lead 8-5.
Niue No.8 Afargo Laufoli, who has had a good tournament so far scored from a line-out to push the Polynesians to 13-5.
Vanuatu’s continuous spoiling tactics at the breakdown earned the ire of referee Angus Gardner who promptly yellow-carded prop Pakoa Managwai and warned the Tuskers to compete fairly.
Two more Samoa penalties minutes before the break saw the men in blue stretch out to a 19-5 lead.
Vanuatu fly-half Gibson Joe kicked a penalty early in the second half for the Tuskers to trail 19-8.
But another yellow-card for a late tackle by reserve Alexie Motoutorua saw the Tuskers reduced to 14 men for the second time in the match.
Niue made use of the numerical advantage with winger Manoa Lito scoring in the corner and Laufoli grabbing his second to push the lead out to 29-8.
Vanuatu’s disruptive play at the contact area saw them concede another penalty which Samoa kicked for a 32-8 lead in the 71st minute.
Vanuatu however scored a try in the 78th minute to add some respectability to the score when  Jenery Toara crashed over after some sustained pressure on the Ugas line.
Niue have a potential tournament-winning match against PNG tomorrow while Vanuatu face the Solomon Islands.