Palais lose to Samoa in Lautoka shootout

Sports

PAPUA New Guinea went down to Samoa 56-45 in a high-scoring encounter during the opening round of the Oceania Women’s Rugby Championship at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Friday.
ManuSina scored 10 tries to seven with five-pointers in the first half by Mary-Lee Sau, Aisha Smalley, Nina Foase, Marilyn Live and captain Masuisui Pauaraisa with two conversions from Seini Mose.
PNG winger Mala Mark scored a hat-trick and halfback Taiva Lavai scored a try and kicked three con­versions.
A low turnout was recorded with about 50 spectators watching the fixture.
It was a close battle in the first half with Samoa leading 29-26 at the break.
Samoa came hard in the second half with tries to number eight Nina Faoese, Mary-Lee Sau, Pauaraisa, Jo Falesita, Alafou Fatu, with conver­sion from Aiesah Smalley.
PNG’s two tries came from winger Jill Yalon with conversion from half­back Taiva Lavai. The final try came from lock Fatima Rama.
ManuSina skipper Pauaraisa said: “We came in not knowing how PNG played. So, we stuck to our game plan but the heat got to us bad. A win is a win and the next focus is on Tonga on Tuesday and we will take one game at a time.”
Palais captain Debbie Kaore said: “They scored tries and we scored tries. I cannot say that Samoa was the best team. But we need to work on our mistakes.
“I believe most of it is on ball han­dling and decision making. It is be­cause some of the girls just arrived and were jet-lagged.
“We were not expecting to go this far in the first game but we made it. I’m proud of the girls.”
Samoa will take on Tonga at the same venue at 1pm (10am PNG) tomorrow while PNG face hosts Fiji in the main game at 3.30pm (12.30pm PNG).
In the opening days other result the Fiji hammered Tonga 53-8. Coached by Inoke Male, the Fijiana players ran in nine tries to Tonga’s one. Fijiana led 22-3 at the break. Captain Rusila Nagasau said their aim was to score as many points in the match. Results: Fri, Nov 16 – Samoa 56 (Mary-Lee Sau 2, Masuisui Pauaraisa 2, Nina Foaese 2, Marilyn Live, Aisesha Smalley, Jo Falesita, Alafou Fatu tries; Sieni Mose 3 con) PNG 45 (Mala Mark 3, Jill Yallon 2, Taiva Lavai, Fatima Rama; Lavai 5 con).
Fiji 53 (Lavenia Tinai 2, Rusila Nagasau 2, Timaima Ravisa 2, Tokasa Seniyasi, Mereani Moceituba, Ana Roqica; Seniyasi 3, Luisa Tisolo con) Tonga 8 (Lita Fuikefu try; Ema Potataufa pen).
Fixtures: Tues, Nov 20 – Samoa v Tonga, Fiji v PNG. – Agencies