Two new champions will be crowned in the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Vodafone Super Deans and Raluve under-18 championships.
The defending champions are gone. Ratu Kadavulevu School’s reign ended in stunning fashion yesterday after the Deans champions were beaten 10-12 by Ra High School at Garvey Park in Tavua.
It was a result few saw coming. RKS entered the quarter-final as one of the tournament favourites. Instead, it was Ra that held its nerve when it mattered most.
The Southern Zone third seeds came into the match with confidence after being pushed by Holy Cross College to the limit last week.
They carried that belief onto the field. And they produced one of the biggest upsets of this year’s competition.
RKS was not the only big name to fall at Garvey Park.
Cuvu College’s Under-18 side was also bundled out after a thrilling 28-26 loss to Nasinu Secondary School.
At the HFC Bank National Stadium in Suva, Lelean Memorial School sent a warning to the remaining contenders.
LMS dismantled Ratu Navula College 26-5. The Eastern Zone champions led 10-0 at halftime before turning the screws in the second half.
Their forwards dominated the breakdown and forced Ratu Navula into a series of penalties.
Fullback Ratu Apenisa Navikutu then did what he does best.
He kept his cool.
Despite the strong winds, the LMS kicking ace landed two crucial penalties to keep his side in control.
Inside centre Joseva Atanj put the result beyond doubt when he powered over in the final five minutes.
Ratu Navula managed a late consolation try, but LMS had already done the damage.
The performance underlined LMS’s credentials as a genuine title contender.
Suva Grammar School also marched into the semi-finals after producing an impressive 23-7 win.
