Drua remains unbeaten at Churchill Park after defeating Force 31-13

Drua remains unbeaten at Churchill Park after defeating Force 31-13

By Navitalai Naivalurua
Saturday 30/03/2024

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have remained unbeaten at Churchill Park in Lautoka this season after defeating the Westen Force 31-13 in Round 6 of Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.

The rainy weather did not deter the die-hard Drua fans to turn up in numbers to support the home team and the boys gave their fans something to smile and cheer about during the game.

The Force started strong scoring a try within the first minute of the game from Tom Horton but the Drua replied with a try from Epeli Momo to level the score at 5-all.

Selestino Ravutaumada scored a converted try to put the Drua ahead with a 12-5 lead.

Drua no.8 Elia Canakaivata was shown a yellow card but that did not deter the Drua side to put on more points.

20 year old Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula converted two penalties to put the Drua ahead to a 13 points lead.

Force utility back Chase Tiatia crossed over the try line to close the gap to 18-10 at half time.

The Drua drew first blood in the second half with a try to Iosefo Masi but the visitors were determined and they replied with Tiatia's second try.

Armstrong-Ravula stepped up again converting two more penalties to put the Drua to a 31-13 lead.

Drua captain Tevita Ikanivere was shown a yellow card but was upgraded to red after a review.

In other matches played the Crusaders recorded their first win of the season after beating the Chiefs 37-26 and the Rebels overcame the Waratahs 27-21 and the Blues thrashed Moana Pasifika 47-8.

The Hurricanes will play the Highlanders at 6.05pm, and the Reds will face the Brumbies at 8.35pm.

Live Updates

0' Western Force kicks off the first half. DRU 0-0 FOR

2' Western Force scores the first try of the match through Tom Horton. Conversion unsuccessful. DRU 0-5 FOR

4' Penalty to Force. They opt for the lineout. DRU 0-5 FOR

7' Drua awarded a penalty inside their 5 metre line. They go for the lineout. DRU 0-5 FOR

10' Drua awarded a penalty inside the Force's 22 metre line. Ref stops the time as a Force player is attended to by medics. DRU 0-5 FOR

10' Time back on, Drua opts to run the ball. DRU 0-5 FOR

11' Drua winger Epeli Momo scores a beautiful try in the corner to level the score. Conversion to come. DRU 5-5 FOR

Conversion unsuccessful by Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula. Score remains. DRU 5-5 FOR

14' Penalty to the Force. They opt for a lineout. DRU 5-5 FOR

16' Scrum awarded to Drua after a knock on from the Force off the lineout. DRU 5-5 FOR

16' Drua scores their second try through winger Selestino Ravutaumada after a quick thinking from Frank Lomani setting that try up. Conversion successful. DRU 12-5 FOR

21' Try gone begging for the Drua as they knocked the ball on 2 metres from the Force's tryline. Scrum to the Force. DRU 12-5 FOR

21' Referee stops the time to go to the TMO for an illegal play by the Drua. DRU 12-5 FOR

21' Drua's Elia Canakaivata has been yellow-carded for an illegal head contact on Force's Nic White. DRU 12-5 FOR

23' Drua awarded a penalty inside the Force's 10 metre line after Force tackled a Drua player without the ball. DRU 12-5 FOR

23' Ravula attempts a shot at goal and converts the penalty. Drua extends their lead. DRU 15-5 FOR

27' Knock on by the Force inside their own half. Scrum to the Drua. DRU 15-5 FOR

30' Drua awarded another penalty inside the Force's territory. They opt for a kick at goal. DRU 15-5 FOR

31' Ravula successfully converts the penalty. Drua extends lead. DRU 18-5 FOR

32' Drua awarded a scrum after the Force knocked the ball on inside the Drua's 22 metre line. DRU 18-5 FOR

33' Drua back to 15 men. DRU 18-5 FOR

35' Free kick awarded to the Force for a throw that was not straight by the Drua. Scrum to the Force. DRU 18-5 FOR

37' Scrum to the Drua inside their 50 metre line for a knock on by the Force. DRU 18-5 FOR

39' The Force awarded a penalty for an infringement by Drua captain Tevita Ikanivere. Referee goes to the TMO for review. DRU 18-5 FOR

39' Drua receives second yellow card of the match to Ikanivere for an illegal cleanout. DRU 18-5 FOR

40' The Force scores their second try through winger Chase Tiatia to close the gap. Conversion to come. DRU 18-10 FOR

41' Ben Donaldson misses the conversion. Score remains at halftime. DRU 18-10 FOR

40' Drua kicks off the second half. DRU 18-10 FOR

40' Captain Ikanivere's yellow card has been upgraded to a red card after the review. DRU 18-10 FOR

42' Drua scores their third try to Iosefo Masi. Conversion successful. DRU 25-10 FOR

46' Drua penalised inside their own 22 metre line. Force opts to take a shot at goal. DRU 25-10 FOR

47' Ben Donaldson converts the penalty. DRU 25-13 FOR

50' Tiatia scores his second try for the Force to close the gap. Conversion to come. DRU 25-18 FOR

50' Referee goes to the TMO to check the grounding by Tiatia.

50' Try by Tiatia canceled after the ball touched the ingoal before it reaches the try line. Score remains. DRU 25-13 FOR

52' Drua awarded a penalty inside their own 10 metre line. They opt for a kick for touch. DRU 25-13 FOR

53' Drua awarded a penalty off the lineout inside the Force's 10 metre line. They opt for a kick at goal. DRU 25-13 FOR

54' Ravula converts the penalty to extend the Drua's lead. DRU 28-13 FOR

55' Referee stops the watch as Drua's Etonia Waqa receives medical attention. DRU 28-13 FOR

56' Drua awarded another penalty inside the Force's 22 metre line. They opt for a shot at goal. DRU 28-13 FOR

57' Ravula converts the penalty successfully. Drua extends their lead. DRU 31-13 FOR

58' The Force concedes another penalty inside their 22 metre line. Drua opts to go for the corner. DRU 31-13 FOR

63' Drua knocks the ball on inside their own 22 metre line. Scrum awarded to the Force. DRU 31-13 FOR

68' Force awarded a penalty inside their own half. They opt to go for touch. DRU 31-13 FOR

70' Force knocks the ball on inside the Drua's 10 metre line. Scrum to the Drua. DRU 31-13 FOR

72' The Force awarded a penalty inside the Drua's 50 metre line. They opt for a lineout. DRU 31-13 FOR

74' Drua penalised inside their own 22 metre line for off side. Force goes fo the linout. DRU 31-13 FOR

75' Another penalty to the Force inside the Drua's 5 metre line. They opt to run it. DRU 31-13 FOR

77' Another penalty to the Force inside the Drua's 5 metre line. Force opts for a scrum. DRU 31-13 FOR

77' Another penalty to the Force inside the Drua's 5 metre line. Force opts for a scrum. DRU 31-13 FOR

80' Simione Kuruvoli kicks the ball out. FULLTIME: DRUA 31-13 FORCE

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