One look at the fixtures of the finals for the 2025 Vodafone Deans Southern Zone and it’s a clear depiction of continued rivalry between Marist Brothers High School and Suva Grammar School, especially in the zone’s under-18 grade.
The Grammarian lion hearts roaring from Veiuto and the keepers of the distinct Red Fire flames emanating from Flagstaff face each other in the finals of the under-16 to 18 grades.
Suva Grammar earned their U18 finals ticket after overcoming a tough Nasinu Secondary School side in last week’s semi-final 18-16.
The victory for Grammar came through at the dying minutes of the match.
Meanwhile, Marist Brothers High School worked its way up from the start of the competition and booked a ticket in the final after they beat Nabua Secondary School at Thomson Park in Navua last week.
Grammar’s campaign throughout the Southern Zone has paid off so far, with every team from the U14 grade to the U18 grade through to the final this Saturday.
Such was their rise to a potential dominance of the Southern Zone that the feat was acknowledged by Marist U18 captain Anthony McGowan.
He said booking spots in various grades for the finals this week was “an achievement in itself.”
McGowan was among other captains present at the Vodafone Triangle in Suva yesterday for the launch of the finals.
Meanwhile, Suva Grammar U18 captain Brendan Leo stated the school was grateful to have made it to the final.
It’s a turnaround for both schools after bowing out in the semi-finals of the competition last year.
At the time, Grammar lost 22-27 to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School and Marist lost 22-24 to a 13-man Nasinu Secondary School side.
This Saturday, the tale of who will reign in the Southern Zone will be decided when both teams meet to settle the scores.
The Southern Zone finals take place at the Buckhurst and Bidesi Grounds in Suva with kick-off times yet to be released.
