As the second-tier INOX Trophy enters its final round of pool games before the quarter-finals, there’s plenty to look forward to for these smaller clubs, many of whom travel two hours or more just to reach the grounds each Saturday.
Only two of the 22 teams in this division have managed to stay unbeaten through the first four rounds – Fiji Pine Lololo, who are certain to progress to the Cup Quarters from Pool E, and Natawarau, who just need a point in today’s game versus Drala in Pool C to be sure of reaching the Cup.
“The support for these smaller clubs has been simply astounding,” BRU Secretary Gaby Kautoga noted. “Many of them play on Ground 3 by the cane fields and the noise generated by the fans carries right across the park.”
“This is particularly noticeable when a small club wins two or three games, suddenly the whole village comes down to support them.”
The two finalists of the INOX Trophy will gain automatic promotion to next season’s Vinod Patel Cup, which is the Top 16.
Nakavika sit atop Pool D but are on a bye this week so must wait patiently to see if Bure and Koro win their games to topple them.
Any one of four clubs could finish in first place in Pool F, though Services Ba look the strongest contenders as they take on Tabuquto from the Magodro highlands.
The top two teams from each pool enter the Cup Quarters-finals next week, while the teams in third and fourth place will go into the Bowl. Those in fifth and sixth will play off for places.
Meanwhile, it’s also do or die for some clubs in the Top 16 Vinod Patel Cup.
In Pool A, Duiyasana have hit some form by beating Nadelei and Bukuya in recent weeks and face fourth-placed Balevuto today in a must-win match if they are to reach the Cup Quarter-finals.
Sasa, meanwhile, have an uphill task after their loss last week to Balevuto. They must get a good result today against Ba River to retain any hope of a place in the Cup knock-out stages.
The top two teams in Pool A, Natalecake and Nailaga, are virtually assured of their Cup places but will want to finish strongly to get a favourable draw.
The top four clubs from Pools A and B progress to the Cup, whilst the bottom four head to the Bowl.
The top four clubs in Pool B – Rarawai FSC, Toge, Navala and Sorokoba – are favourites to progress to the Cup.
In today’s Ba Industries Vanua O Ba Challenge, Natalecake defend the trophy against Bukuya, who get a second bite of the cherry having played in the first challenge match on 16 May against Nailaga.
The early games kick off at 8am this morning on all three grounds. Entry is $5 for adults and $2 for those Under 12. That’s not bad value for 18 games of rugby.
