Seven physical matches kicked-off round one of the Vodafone Cup Eastern Zone in Suva yesterday.
Sixteen teams are part of this year’s competition with Naitasiri being the only new inclusion.
The 16 are divided into two pools of eight.
Four Pool A matches were held at St Marcellin Primary School ground and three Pool B clashes at the Veiuto Primary School ground in Nasese.
Naitasiri is the only new inclusion this season.
“We have Nadera Panthers, Topline Warriors, Nabua Broncos, City Storm, Kinoya Sea Eagles, Davuilevu Knights and Makoi Bulldogs in Pool A,” said Eastern State chairman Andrew Nabose.
“In Pool A are Namosi Highlanders, Vusu Raiders, Serua Dragon, Police Sharks, Navy, Veiyasana Knights and Naitasiri, I may have missed one but there 16 teams altogether.”
The 16 teams will play seven rounds of matches where only the top four from each pool will commence to the quarterfinals.
The top eight will then vie for the seven slots available for the national quarterfinals.
Seven qualifying teams from the eastern state will go against the top seven from the western state and best two from the northern zone.
Topline Warriors is the defending champion of the eastern state while Saru Dragons holds the national honours.
