Last week’s under-18 match of the 2023 Vodafone Deans Trophy semi-finals competition was a heart-rending one for the Southern Zone schools.
The Suva Grammar School and the under-18 Deans defending champion, Marist Brothers High School were denied the opportunity to play in the final this week.
The Eastern Zone champion, QVS had a narrow win in the match against Grammar with a 14-14 draw.
QVS advanced into the final, having scored the first try in the match.
The QVS side showed brilliant rugby in the first half of the match, managing a quick try from fly half, Anare Tabakaucoro in the 7th minute.
QVS’ fullback, Mikaele Vueti kicking skills added two extra points to the score board, giving the Vulinituraga side a 7-0 lead.
Suva Grammar School worked hard to gain territory, but it wasn’t enough for the well-coordinated QVS side who successfully scored another converted try by halfback, Meli Waqairadovu in the 12th minute.
The boys from Tailevu defended well in the first half denying the Laucala Bay based school any opportunities of scoring, but it was the penalty kick from Suva Grammar’s inside centre, Semisi Turaganivalu in the 23rd minute that put SGS on the score board.
The second half had a different feel, as SGS regrouped and worked towards increasing their points on the scoreboard.
The Laucala side managed two penalty kicks from Turaganivalu; giving the school a confidence boost with 14-9, but the team still needed additional points to secure a place in the final.
In the last minute, the SGS side finally managed a corner try by winger, Semesa Caginivalu giving them a 14-14 draw with QVS but luck was not on their side when they missed the conversion –denying them that much needed victory.
For Natabua High School, they meant business when they toppled the under-18 Deans defending and Southern Zone champions, Marist Brothers High School last week.
The only West team to make it into the under-18 semis showed that it takes commitment and drive to win against a side like Marist.
The Natabua side hastily put points on the board when they broke through the Marist defence in the 6th minute to score their first converted try 7-0 by flanker, Samuela Navale.
Marist had a slow start, managing their first points with a penalty kick from fly-half, Lui Mainavatuiwai in the 11th minute.
The Kaunikula boys quickly picked up the momentum, hitting back with a converted corner try from inside centre, Seremaia Tuiqamea – this gave them a point lead from the West team 7-8.
Natabua’s Charles Salikikoro kicking skills were put to good use as the full-back managed to secure three points (10-8) through a penalty kick for his side.
Navale of Natabua made sure he left an impression on the Marist side by scoring his second try in the game, followed by another two points by Salikikoro with a beautiful conversion 17-8.
Marist quickly struck back showing that they were still a team to be reckoned with as their captain Aisea Nawai swiftly scored a try under the post in the 31st minute – closing up the point’s gap with 17-15. In the second half Natabua’s forwards worked hard, maintaining their performance from the first half.
The West side managed two tries from their lock, Iliesa Erenavula and prop Raymond Navunikaba.
Navunikaba’s try in the 67th minute allowed the team to sail comfortably into the final with a 29-20 lead.
Marist managed to score a try from flanker, Peni Tuiloma but it wasn’t enough to match the nine point difference set by the Natabua side when the final whistle blew.
This week’s under-18 final competition will be the one to watch as a new champion will be crowned.
Other grade results
- U14 MBHS 26-15 RKS;
- U14 LMS 0-19 SGS;
- U15 MBHS 24-0 QVS;
- U15RKS 17-14 SGS ;
- U16 MBHS 7-19 QVS;
- U16 NHS 10-18 RKS;
- U17 MBHS 8-25 RKS;
- U17 MGM 15-11 QVS;
- U18 NHS 29-20 MBHS;
- U18 SGS 14-QVS 14 (QVS won for scoring the first try);
- U19 QVS 15-12 LMS and
- RKS 22-3 Lomary
