SMART rugby under heavy underfoot conditions gave Northland a 15-3 victory over Tailevu in their Digicel Cup tie at Ratu Cakobau Park last night.
The win put Northland on top of the Digicel Cup points table with the result of the Lautoka-Suva match today to determine the leader after round four.
With poor ground conditions both teams found it difficult to find continuity and it was Northland's kicking game that allowed them to wear down Tailevu.
For Tailevu, it was the handling errors in Northland's danger zone that let them down.
Led by Number 8 Vilikesa Gasaudrau, the Tailevu forwards made inroads into the defence but failed to finish it off.
Five minutes into the match, Northland was on the board after a barging run from Number 8 Ilitomasi Nawalu.
The conversion from flyhalf and former national 7s rep Lote Degei put the visitors up 7-0.
Tailevu replied 12 minutes later with a penalty to Penaia Sikivou, which was to be their only points in the match.
Lanky forward Joveci Kalou touched down for Northland in the 27th minute before Degei nailed a penalty in the 34th minute.
The half-time score of 15-3 was to be the final score as both teams scrapped for points in the second half.
Northland coach Watisoni Ratulevu put the win down to smart rugby.
He said after considering the ground conditions the game plan was to nail Tailevu in their own half with long-range kicks.
Ratulevu said the win put their Digicel Cup campaign back on track after losing 20-21 to Lautoka in Round 3.
Tailevu coach Lance Whippy said his players failed to adapt to the conditions but praised his young side for a brave performance.
