Ba’s Market Ground, formerly known as the Vinod Patel ground, will see provincial rugby return to it after a prolonged hiatus when the home team meets Naitasiri in round nine of the competition tomorrow.
And the significance of this fixture being held there has been highlighted by the secretary of the Ba Rugby Union, Gabby Kautoga.
Round nine is the final level of round-robin competition for the Skipper Cup, which began with round one on Saturday, August 2.
Kautoga mentioned the union will have something different to offer its fans and supporters when Naitasiri reaches the town.
“This is our last game, the Market Ground has been a place where we come and enjoy club games,” Kautoga highlighted.
“And for the last five years, we haven’t had these kind of big matches in Ba.”
He added Ba did not have much of the attractions that other towns around the country had, however the ground was the one unifying component that united the town.
“Ba doesn’t have cinemas and all things that other towns have, but the only thing that keeps us together is just at the Market Ground.
“We come and (see) whatever games are (played) there, we sit around and we just watch and go back to our own villages, to the highlands.”
The sentimental value of the match was further mentioned by Kautoga, stating Ba’s supporters had the chance to see a prominent team such as Naitasiri play up close.
“This game is something special for the Vanua o Ba you know. Naitasiri playing and keeping the (Inkk) Farebrother, these are big names,” he said.
As Ba prepares itself to meet the Farebrother champions, Kautoga said the backing of their supporters and sponsors continues to remain firm.
“As I said, it’s a totally different games from other games that we’ve played in this year so we are looking forward to it.”
Ba will host the under-20 and senior men’s teams for Naitasiri.
The under-20 match kicks off at 1pm and the senior men’s match at 3pm.
Meanwhile, Ba’s women’s team faces Macuata in the final of the Royal Tea Ranadi competition at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on Saturday at 11am.
