Rough and rugged training paid off handsomely for Ratu Latianara College when they beat Adi Cakobau School 12-10 to head into the Under-16 final of the Weet-Bix Raluve this Saturday.
The Korovisilou, Serua- based school drew first blood in their semi-final match at Buckhurst Park in over the weekend, just five minutes in from kick-off.
When the dying minutes of the game came around and the final hooter sounded, Ratu Latianara powered through to touch down the winning try that flipped the status quo indefinitely.
Head coach Ratu Vidika Kuriyalavou said the team was thankful and humbled by the victory they attained.
“Well, the team is very humbled after the win, we must thank God for his protection and guidance and for his leadership throughout the camp,” Kuriyalavou said.
He said they did not take their opponents from Sawani lightly, adding his side entered the game as underdogs.
“We really respected ACS coming into the game, we know what ACS has done in terms of sports, so they were really humble,” he said.
“We were up for the task, we came in as the underdogs. I always told the girls that they must put God first.”
In acknowledging all those that played a part in their victory on Saturday and their journey throughout the Raluve competition so far, he thanked the parents and sponsors, Nanuku Resort, Fiji for their support.
“We’ve been camping for almost a month now with the support of the vanua, the vanua leading the charge with the school principal and all the stakeholders.”
Parents, guardians and supporters cheered on the team during the game from behind the roped barricade.
Ratu Latianara will face Sigatoka Methodist High School in the final of the Raluve U16 this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Sigatoka Methodist High School punished Dreketi Central College 29-0 in their semi-final clash last Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The Sigatoka in Nadroga-based school is the current holder of the Raluve U16 trophy.
They defeated Niusawa Methodist High School 20-0 in last year’s final.