Warriors hold off Ugas in cup opener

THE Solomon Island Warriors showed they are a team to be reckoned with after a hard-fought 22-19 win over the Niue Ugas in the opening match of the Oceania Cup yesterday.
Despite conceding the first try in a scrappy encounter, the Warriors were able to gain the upper hand primarily by making better use of their opportunities.
Warriors captain Corey Chapman led from the base of the scrum with some powerful surges while big locks Illisoni Delaiverata and Fredson Soaki had strong games in loose play.
Ugas five-eighth Danny Atamu scored in the 11th minute after sustained pressure on the Warriors’ line for a 5-0 lead.
Both teams’ kickers missed penalties  as they struggled to string phases together seeing play mostly confined to the middle third of the field with the Solomon Islanders playing a good territorial game.
Warriors scored off a driving maul with Chapman being the beneficiary of a line-out and drive 5m out in the 18th minute.
The score was 5-5 with Warriors’ halfback Felix Galo missing the conversion.
The match descended into an arm-wrestle before man-mountain Delaiverata crashed over for a try to take the lead 10-5.
Warriors went further ahead 17-5 after the break with winger Chris Saru etching his name in the scorebook as the Ugas tired in the Port Moresby heat.
Saru cutting back into the defence from a backline move showed some decisive footwork stepping past six Niue defenders to touchdown beside the uprights.
Ugas reserve Lito Manoa hit back for the men in blue showing a clean pair of heels to out-pace the cover defence in the 64th minute which fullback Soloasi Ahosivi converted to trail 17-12.
Ugas scrumhalf Nasoni Nemani came agonisingly close to scoring only to knock on with the try line open.
Warriors seemed to put the match out of reach when Delaiverata was again on the end of an overlap in the 76th minute for a 10-point lead, 22-12.
A desparate Ugas proved they were still a chance even at the death when speed merchant Manoa scored a try a minute before full time with Asohivi converting from the sideline.