Tau’uta Reds ploughed the way for the Tautahi Golds’ dream final.

Friday May 16, 2008
 
Tau’uta Reds 14 Savaii Samoa 13
The Tau’uta Reds today ploughed away Savaii Samoa’s dreams of making the final in Nuku’alofa. The victory confirmed fellow countrymen (Tautahi Golds) a place in the final and moves into fourth place on the ladder.
 
The local fans were cheering because they knew a Tau’uta Reds win would not only give the Tautahi Golds a place in the final but also a good chance of bringing the final to the Island Kingdom.
 
When the final siren sounded, the crowd gave the Tau’uta Reds a mighty roar and standing ovation for their much needed 14-13 win in a nail biting encounter
 
At halftime the score was level at 3 all from a penalty by the Savaii Samoa flyhalf Olano Aumatagi and winger Tupou Palu of the Tau’uta Reds. Olano’s 3 pointers came from an offside play by the Reds backline in the 30th minutes and it was equalize three minutes later by Tupou Palu.
 
The Reds fullback Sila Va’enuku scored the first try of the game in the third minute of the second half giving them the lead 8-3 for the first time. Replacement flanker Tele Tuiavea scored in the 11 mins to equalize the scoreboard once again. Tau’uta Reds Tupou Palu fielded two penalties to put the Reds 6 points ahead of the Samoans.
 
The last 10 minutes was just amazing, credit must go to both team who had a courageous efforts both in defense and attack. However, it was the Samoans who won the battle and scored right at full time. Replacement fly half missed the winning conversion putting their hope of making the final to an end.
 
Tau’uta Reds 14 (15 Sila Va’enuku Try; 11 Tupou Palu 3 Penalty goal) beat Savaii Samoa 13 (19 Tele Tuiavea, 21 Faapulou Soolefai Try; 10 Olano Aumatagi Penalty goal.

Joh E Fifita