MARIST Brothers High School defeated Latter Days Saint High School 24-10 in the under-18 grade during the Fiji Secondary Schools Southern Zone competition at Bidesi Grounds yesterday.
The boys from Kaunikuila took advantage of their players’ height and built as they dominated the Saints all throughout the game.
Marist took the lead with a penalty and after a yellow card was shown to Angelo Smith for a dangerous tackle.
Saints replied with a penalty from Satini Qarase but wasn’t enough to stop Christopher Minibi who scored after 35 minutes into the first half which was converted by Ratu Latianara Kikau which saw them leading in the first half 10-3.
Marist gave away a lot of penalties and committed a lot of mistakes by failing to release the ball after being tackled, entering a ruck from the side and deliberately collapsing a scrum but LDS still failed to slot in two kickable penalties to Qarase. Jason Manua of Marist scored their second try under the post which was converted but they had to lose Lepani Mataele for a yellow card.
LDS took advantage of the opportunity and made good use of their big forwards pushing through the Marist defence. Qarase managed to score a try which he also converted to see scores at 10-17 with Marist in front. Mataele showed his class and came back in with a converted try sealing the deal 24-10.
Marist manager Lekima Nasau said they would have to regroup and iron out their mistakes for their next game.
Saints assistant coach Panapasa Ratuvukivuki said their set piece was one of their major downfalls yesterday and they hoped to improve on that if they wanted to win their next game.
