THE thought of losing their beloved home ground of Nasova proved the difference for Police as they edged Army 9-8 at a crucial moment to take home the 2025 Vodafone Ratu Sukuna Bowl touch rugby men’s title.
Drew 8-all at the end of regulation time, the match adopted the drop-off format to decide the winner of the match.
Both teams were reduced to four players and then three after a certain period of play.
Army had celebrated, thinking they had after a player sliced through to score what could have been the decider however, the referees ruled otherwise.
Police made use of this chance to counterattack and with a little mental edge, they were able to send a player through for the crucial game-deciding try.
Assistant coach and player Paul Darroch shared the team’s motivating factor after the match.
“Army had the title, and we weren’t going to give Nasova away easily. We fought to the end, kept things tight and made sure that we were going to bring it home. It was rough out there, that’s how we battle for it in the Force but toughness aside, once we walk out of the field its all fun and games but inside there, we are going straight into business, and we were going to fight for what we want.
“We didn’t want to walk out of Nasova ground with our heads down and we made sure we walked out of it with the title,” he said.
Darroch hoped that their win would ignite hope and belief in their other teams to win the remaining games.
Meanwhile, Army dominated the mixed category as well as the women’s division.
