APISAI Waqanituva scored the winning try for Queen Victoria School in the U17 final of the Coke Zero Deans competition against Natabua High School bagging their fourth title by a 15-13 margin.
With two early tries from Natabua speedster Isireli Latidreketi, the west-based school led 10-0.
Rusiate Rukuvau slotted a successful penalty for QVS and later converted a try by Kaliova Qeleca to lock the points at 10-all at half-time.
Early into the second spell a drop goal from Vilimoni Botitu put Natabua back into the lead.
The Lautoka school held off opposition until the final phase of play conceding a penalty which QVS used to their advantage.
A pick and drive initiative from the Tailevu school saw Waqanituva crash on to the score line to win by a narrow margin of 15-13 with the try being unconverted.
An emotional QVS coach Lui Acareva said the boys had worked hard for the win.
” I would like to thank the boys for the win and the Lord who gave them strength to continue until the end.”
The team had featured in the semi-final and lost against Marist Brothers High School last year and Acareva said the boys took to heart what they were told during the half-time break.
“I told them to be aggressive in their defence and to stay in control and be patient and it worked. It is a good start for us as we prepare ourselves for the U18 next year,” he said.
