A penalty in sudden-death by Police Sharks pivot Timoci Namotokula’s was enough to seal the deal as the Sharks chomped their way to a 18-16 Vodafone Cup grand final win beating a determined Coastline Roos under the rain at Albert Park in Suva yesterday.
Police team manager Pauliasi Colamoto said after a four-year lapse the law enforcers had risen again to the top of rugby league in the country.
“The boys went through a lot of hardships through the tournament, but today we have seen victory delivered and we return the glory to the Almighty,” Colamoto said.
“Before the game we asked the wives and family members to give out the match jerseys to show our appreciation of their never ending support.
“We dedicate this win to our familiers and to all police officers serving the nation both here and in overseas missions.”
The Police Sharks and the Coastal Roos were tied 10-all at the break during the grand final clash.
The Blue Gas-sponsored law enforcers took an early lead with pivot Namotokula converting three penalities before right wing Tevita Seru crashed in the corner for a try.
The Roos proved their spot replying in kind with two tries from left centre Josua Waqavesi and prop Nemia Nawave. Fullback Sunia Naruma added one conversion sending both teams to the tunnel tied at 10-all.
The Roos extended their lead after the buzzer with Naruma adding another penalty to inch to lead 12-10.
Sharks half back Sevanaia Galala equalised with another penaltybefore Roos right centre Ilai Nareki scored a try to take the lead again.
In the final minute, player of the match and Sharks right wing Mosese Rova burst his way across the line to send the thriller into extra-time.
It was Namotokula who proved the darling of the blues outfit with a successful golden point penalty from the touch line, sending the fans flooding into the pitch under the rain and the Sharks into the annals of Vodafone Cup history.
