Former Fijiana Drua and 15s player Akosita Ravato Marr saved the day for Police women as they defeated Striders 22-17 after extra time to successfully defend the FMF Suva Rugby Senitoa title.
Locked 17-all at full time, the two teams were given 10 minutes of extra time with the golden point rule as the team scoring the first points would walk out victorious.
With desperation, Police let their forwards do the work and with the experience of Ravato, she used her size advantage to bulldoze her way over the line.
The loose forward, who is also a mother of two, said the win is dedicated to her sisters in the team who are yet to make it to the Force.
“When we were playing in extra time the only thing I thought of was my civilian sisters. We have some civilian players and the only way for them to get an employment opportunity in the Fiji Police Force was to win.
“We have won today (yesterday), the least we could get is a chance for our civilian sisters to join the Force through Rugby which most of us did,” Marr shared.
Marr, who has also featured for the Fijiana 7s side, said she hoped the win would push for their inclusion in the Sukuna Bowl.
“Unfortunately, we’re not included in the Sukuna Bowl this year. When Army hosted last year they had the women’s competition as a curtain raiser for the main match so maybe our win today could change the minds of our Fiji Police Committee that we could have women’s team to play in the Sukuna Bowl.”
Marr is also the coach of the team and wore the player hat yesterday as they lacked players on the bench.
