Lautoka’s chances of staying in the Skipper Cup competition is hanging by a thread following their 5-7 loss to Ram Sami Suva at the ANZ Stadium.

A draw or win would have put Lautoka in a much better position heading into the last round.

The Sugar City side now has 20 points on the competition standings following their bonus loss.

Lautoka rugby Chair Tevita Momoedonu said they still have a chance and the side is hoping Tailevu who has 22 points will fall to Naitasiri today.

‘I spoke to them in the change room I said it’s now or never, so their efforts on the ground I think spoke much of what the boys wanted to do, to come out with a win, we know the difference they wanted to score the win against Suva, we hope Naitasiri will beat Tailevu’.

Lautoka will play Nadroga in a must-win game next week while Suva meets Namosi.

Suva Manager Nemani Tuifagalele said they expected Lautoka to play the way they did.

‘We were expecting this kind of game with Lautoka we know that Lautoka is coming in on survival mode so they wanted to surprise us today with their kind of game and we thank the boys for holding on until the final whistle’.

The game which was played on a perfect pitch under cool conditions was riddled with errors. There were a lot of stoppages to the match which was the highlight of the night.

It was a tight first half with the first points registered in the 33rd minute when James Brown crashed over for a try.

The try was converted by winger Setareki Raoba for a 7-0 lead to Suva at halftime.

There was no flow to the game in the second spell as both sides failed to find their rhythm.

Lautoka never gave up the fight and looked to be the better side in the second half.

The Maroons managed to score through replacement hooker and former Fijian Drua rep Samu Suguturaga on the stroke of full-time.

Former Flying Fijians flyhalf Waisea Luveniyali’s conversion attempt hit the crossbar.

Looking at the Skipper Cup games today, Naitasiri takes on Tailevu at 3pm at the Nakelo District School ground.

Yasawa plays Nadroga at Churchill Park in Lautoka and Namosi meets Nadi at the ANZ Stadium in Suva at 3pm.

You can watch the Nadi/Namosi Farebrother Sullivan trophy challenge match on the FBC Sports channel.

Meanwhile, in the Vodafone Vanua Championship final today, Rewa meets Northland at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka at 3pm.