A second-half comeback for Navosa against Rewa led them to a 34-26 victory that cemented their promotion to the Skipper Cup next year.
The promotion occurred in the first semi-final match of the Vodafone Vanua Trophy at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday.
Navosa trailed 15-20 at half-time.
Navosa head coach David Dakuitoga said yesterday’s win was the culmination of a long journey.
“We’ve come a long way to be able to get into the Skipper Cup, play the big boys. It is so wonderful,” the winning coach said.
He said their development process of grooming players had proven itself with the win.
“We were so fortunate and we were blessed that all the players that are playing now, none of them came from outside,” he said.
“So in our little circle, in our little development, in our little sphere that we’ve created because of our development strategy, it’s working.”
Rewa began the match with a firm grip over the contest, however Navosa sought for new ground.
After the break, Navosa was adamant on seeking to turn the tables and up their ante, however Rewa countered their advances by breaking set pieces that would have advanced them.
Tries for Navosa were scored by Nemani Lago, Sevu Tawake, Etuate Sitiveni, Semi Natalie, Isoa Toqabale and Mitieli Nacibaciba.
Conversions were made by Etuate Sitiveni.
Rewa’s side of the scoresheet was filled in by Seremaia Vakacabeqoli with a conversion and three successful penalties by Apenisa Deve.
Navosa coach Dakuitoga thanked the many supporters for their backing at the stadium, highlighting how most of them had left their homes in the highlands in the early hours of the morning to reach Sigatoka and board transportation to get them to Suva to watch them play.
