SUVA Warriors cricket team has ended Kabara’s reign to win the 2025 National Easter Cricket tournament, chasing down 136 runs to seal a seven-wicket victory in the final at Albert Park yesterday.
The Suva side, made up mostly of players from the Army Cricket Club, overcame the defending champions despite having no formal preparation for the tournament.
Team captain Makutu Seru said the team only met two days before the competition started.
“We didn’t have any preparation,” Seru said.
“Everyone was busy with work. But we told ourselves that even without training, we had the experience and belief to win this.”
Seru missed last year’s tournament but returned this year to lead Suva for the second time in the Easter competition.
“This win is special. Most of us have played together from primary school, then for Moce, Army and now Suva. That long bond helped us rebuild our connection on the field,” he said.
The Suva Warriors chased down Kabara’s 135-run in 16.1 overs total in front of a supportive home crowd to claim the title.
Seru said many of the players had represented Fiji in the past, including during the 2024 tour to Samoa and that experience played a big role.
“This win shows what Suva cricket is capable of, even with limited resources,” he said.
The week-long tournament featured 15 teams divided into two tiers.
Tier one had eight teams and tier two had seven.
In tier one, Moce finished fourth, Nadi third, Kabara were runners-up and Suva Warriors emerged as champions.
In tier two, Rotuma came fourth, Suva Crusaders third, Lakeba second and Kabara two placed fourth.
Seru said he hopes this win inspires the revival of the Suva cricket competition, which did not run this year.
“This victory is for all our Suva players and fans. We’ll celebrate this one,” he said.
