Samoa hold hosts to draw in thriller

 By ISAAC LIRI

THE Samoan mixed open rugby touch team held the hosts Papua New Guinea to a 7-all draw yesterday in a thriller at the Bisini Sport Complex.

The visitors displayed tremendous speed and skills in the opening minutes, dismantling the PNG defence through their skipper Tasi Cordtz who got involved in their three tries in the first half to lead 3-1 at half time. 

With slippery conditions, both sides continuously made ball handling errors however strong defence and fast attacking from both sides made it a very entertaining game. 

PNG mixed open captain Uari Sarufa, who got a hat-trick of tries, said they knew it was going to be a tough game and the weather just made the game difficult for both sides. 

PNG have already won the men and women’s open touch competition in grand style and are hoping their mixed touch team can help them do the treble.

Match results: Samoa 10 def Cook Islands 6, PNG 18 def Tonga 1, Samoa 20 def Kiribati 1, Cook Islands 11 def Tonga 4