Sports News in Brief
Fiji Challenge
FIJI's Grahame Southwick finished second on day two competition of the TOTAL Fiji Hobie Challenge on Tuesday. Australian Chris Borg won the race from Leleuvia Island to Naigani Island and back. Fellow Australian Bruce Tardrew was placed third in the four hour race. Day three competition yesterday saw the fleet in a route close to Moturiki and Ovalau.
Nadi wins
NADI will feature in the Farebrother Sullivan Cup challenges this year. They qualified for the top eight after a 25-10 bonus point win over Lautoka at in Prince Charles Park yesterday. A try each to Semi Qerelevu, Samu Cava, Iliesa Samusavadre, Jone Turuva and a conversion and penalty to Vatemo Ravouvou handed Nadi a victory over their neighbours. Rupeni Naqiri scored a try for the Maroons while Ritova Setareki slotted a penalty and conversion.
National League
THE Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League resumes this weekend with seven games to be played. Labasa will host Rewa at Subrail Park; Navua will travel to Govind Park to face Ba while Tavua will host Lautoka on Saturday. On Sunday, Savusavu will host Rewa, Suva travel to Prince Charles Park to face Nadi and Nadroga will host Tavua at Lawaqa Park. A mid-week fixture will see Lautoka host Nadroga at Churchill Park.
No diamond
BASEBALL Fiji is still without a proper diamond. Development officer Inoke Niubalavu said the lack of a proper pitch hindered the development of the sport in the country. Niubalavu, who accompanied a young Fiji contingent to the World Children Baseball Foundation Fair in Japan last month, said securing a diamond was their major concern. "One of the things discussed during the Fair with other coaches was getting a field," he said. Niubalavu said once they had secured a field, they could hold clinics and regular club games to improve the standard of baseball in Fiji.
Cricket clinics
CRICKET Fiji's inclusive strategy has enabled the launching of inaugural clinics in Vanua Levu. The Labasa Special School is the first to benefit from the McDonald's Special Schools Cricket Program. The program made its debut in the 'Friendly North' with a workshop at the school on Monday last week. Labasa Special School caters for over 100 students and has students through the full school age including a vocational training centre for senior students. The program will move onto Savusavu later in the week.
Inter-lane
THE Raiwaqa Basketball Association will hold its inter-lane competition semi-finals and final this Saturday. Defending men's champions, Spowart Lane remains on track and will face MacFarlane in the semis at Ed's Court. Association committee member Peniasi Kainamoli said the trophy challenge weekly competition would resume following the conclusion of inter-lane.