Much is on the line for the Marist Brothers High School under-18 side as they prepare to take on Natabua High School in the second semi-final of the Vodafone Deans Trophy at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva today.
The boys from Flagstaff will need to beat the “West-siders” if they hope to keep their title as champions before securing a spot in the final.
MBHS head of school Asish Dayal says while they have the utmost respect for Natabua, his under-18 side is prepared to take the field and continue their run in defending their title.
“We know that Natabua will be representing the whole of the Western Division so they will be going all out, and we respect them for that,” Dayal said.
“We are expecting a tough battle from them, but the boys are ready to go out there and perform.”
Dayal said they were aware of Natabua’s style of play and would need to be on their toes.
“They play a very fast-paced game, a more running style of game so we will need to be vigilant throughout the entire 80 minutes,” he said
Natabua secured a spot in the last four after edging a strong Lelean Memorial School side 13-12 in the quarter-finals last weekend.
In the first semi-finals of the under-18 grade, Eastern Zone powerhouse Lelean Memorial School will be running out against Southern Zone runner-up SGS.
Meanwhile, MBHS will be out to defend the Deans Trophy for the first time in 11 years.
Dayal is calling out to all the supporters, ex-students, and parents from MBHS to come out in numbers and cheer for their team as they battle for a spot in the final next weekend.
“Not only to supporters of MBHS, but to the supporters of all schools, please come out and support and cheer on our young people as they display their talent at the stadium.”
Fixtures:
Deans Trophy n MBHS ground 1: 8.20am U14 LMS-SGS, 9.30 U16 Natabua-RKS, 10.50 U19 QVS-LMS, 12.30pm U19 RKS Lomary, . n Buckhurst Park 1: 10.20am U15 SGS-RKS, 11.45 U15 QVS-MBHS, U16 1.15pm MBHS-QVS. n HFC Bank Stadium: 8.20am MBHS-RKS, 9.30 U17 MBHS-RKS, 10.55 U17 MGMHS-QVS, 2.05pm U18 SGS-QVS, 3.40 U18 MBHS-Natabua Raluve Trophy n Buckhurst ground 1: 9.30am U16 ACS-Naitasiri, 11.35 U18 Jasper-MGMHS. HFC Bank Stadium: 12.20pm U16 Sigatoka-LMS, 1.10pm U18 Naitasiri-Dawasamu.
