Wins second Inter-Islands title
By Taromane Martin
BELLONA Island rugby team is the new champions of the 2017 Solrice Inter-Islands rugby competition after defeating Malaita Subi in the grand final.
Bellona reclaimed their islands pride in the final on Saturday defeating Malaita Subi 17-15 in an exciting grand final at the Town Ground Rugby Staduim.
Despite trailing 15-0 in the opening 40 minutes of the match, Bellona clawed their way back into the match to trail by a point 15-14 with minutes to play.
Bellona stole the lead in the final minutes of play after experienced Fijian match referee James Bolambiu awarded them a penalty inside their opponents ten meter mark.
Leslie Puia’s conversion attempt was successful as Bellona held on for a 17-15 victory over the impressive Malaita Subi side.
“Subi is a good side and we were very lucky to get the win today,” Mr Puia said.
“The message was to fight until the end. We lost concentration in the opening minutes of the first half and got punished.
“However, credit to the boys for sticking together and believing in ourselves which saw us coming back stronger in the second half,” he said.
In the third and fourth position playoffs it was out going champions Rennell who claimed third position.
Rennell defeated Makira 22-10 to maintain their winning streak over Makira who settle in fourth position.
Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) will be hosting an opens sevens competition next month.
The SIRUF rugby 7s competition will kick off on October 14 at the Town Ground Rugby stadium.
