POLICE Blue lifted the FMF Suva Rugby Escott Shield for the fourth year in a row, following another dominant performance in the final against old foes Fresh’et Navy yesterday at Albert Park in Suva.
There was no denying the high energy that Police brought into the match and kept play at an exciting tempo as they scored three unanswered trues in the first half to lead 19-0 at the break.
Two more penalties and a try in the second half sealed a convincing 30-17 win for the Nasova-based side.
Despite Navy’s resurgence in the second half scoring three tries, they have themselves to blame to for the countless opportunities they wasted because of handling errors.
Maybe one could point at their fatigue, as the team just played on Tuesday in the Bougainville Challenge, but they have been shown what to expect from Police come the Sukuna Bowl later in the year.
Police Blues manager Livai Toribau said the real home of the Escott Shield in Nasova.
“The win is dedicated to the Commissioner of Police who gave us a drive during the week, using this as a platform for the upcoming Ratu Sukuna Bowl.
“The challenge for the boys was to go out, fight the battle, win the battle and come back victorious,” he said.
For four consecutive years, the two teams have been meeting in the final and Police have come out victorious on all four occasions.
“To win the Escott Shield four years in a row is a special achievement for us. The Escott Shield’s true home is at Nasova and so as the Sukuna Bowl,” Toribau added.
He also acknowledged their sponsors and other stakeholders for supporting Suva rugby in yet another successful club season.
Meanwhile, Nabua White defeated Marist Old Boys 21-14 to win the Koroturaga Cup.