A second half effort from the Police Sharks rugby league team saw it came from behind to win the the Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto Sukuna Bowl Rugby League Trophy yesterday.
The lawmen beat the Mataivalu team 30-22 during the 2020 FMF Ratu Sukuna Bowl challenge rugby league final at the ANZ Stadium yesterday.
Trailing 18-8 at the break, Sharks captain Apenisa Canasau said they did not panic and stuck to their game plan.
“We did not underestimate our brothers in the Army, but we knew we had what it took to get back into the game,” Canasau said.
“Our boys dug deep and played well together like we have all season and I thank them and the management for their hard work.”
Sharks team manager Pauliasi Colamoto said the win was for women officers who were celebrating their 50th anniversary of service in the Fiji Police Force.
Mataivalu scored first through winger Waisale Komaiviwa with pivot Ilikena Niumataiwalu adding the two points.
The Sharks replied in kind minutes later with robust centre Mosese Rova crashing over for their first try with Sharks playmaker Timoci Namotokula away with the conversion.
The Sharks looked to fall asleep midway in the first half which saw the green machine put in a second try from forward Sanaila Vala and centre Josua Camaisala in quick succession with Niumataiwalu adding one conversion and another penalty to widen the wound.
Namotokula added one more penalty for Police to send the teams to halftime with Mataivalu holding a 18-8 lead.
The Sharks struck five minutes into the second half, as continued possession saw the defensive line backtrack to allow second rower Aminiasi Saukuru to crash over with Namotokula converting to close the deficit to four points.
Police kept the aggression and it paid off with forward Apimeleki Lutuimawi bumping off a would be tackler to level the scores.
Namotokula added a crucial conversion to send the Sharks into the lead for the first time in the game with 20 minutes to go. The Sharks added another unconverted try through centre Asaeli Boseiwaqa.
Army showed they were not out yet, when an attack from 10 metres out saw Niumataiwalu float a beautiful outwide to find Peni Tuberi who dotted in the corner which was unconverted.
With bodies strewn across the pitch, the Sharks nailed the clincher in the dying minutes with impact forward Metui Volavola showing his strength to score by the uprights with Namotokula converting.
Mataivalu team: 1. Malakai Vakacegu 2. Waisale Komaiviwa 3. Solomone Duru 4. Marika Tagicakibau 5. Josua Buaserau 6. Ilikena Niumataiwalu 7. Anisito Komai 8. Josateki Mocevakaca 9. Iveri Lemoci 10. Jone Saukuru 11. Ilisavani Jegesa 12. Sanaila Vala 13. Iliesa Cakau. Reserves: 14. Peni Tuberi 15. Josefa Bukalase 16. Aminiasi Momo 17. Sitiveni Vasuturaga 18. Josese Sadrugu 19. Waisea Verenadau 20. Eremasi Vesikalou
Police Sharks: 1. Aminiasi Bibi 2. Asaeli Boseiwaqa 3. Aca Snow 4. Josua Yavala 5. Mosese Rova 6. Seva Galala 7. Timoci Namotokula 8. Sateki Umu 9. Iliesa Salauca 10. Apenisa Canasau 11. Apenisa Vela 12. Maikeli Peters 13. Waisea Nasekai. Reserves: 14. Filipo Talei 15. Etonia Muakitoga 16. Aminiasi Saukuru 17. Metui Volavola 18. Rusiate Nairube 19. Apimeleki Lutuimawi 20. Tevita Seru.
