The Kaliova Bulai-captained Ba Methodist High School Under-19 team is determined to leave no stones unturned in the Western Secondary Schools Rugby Deans Championship quarterfinal at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, tomorrow.
They will be up against Sigatoka Valley Secondary School in what promises to be an exciting match.
Under the guidance of Coach Paula Tuiloma, the team recently dominated Nasau Secondary School with a 31-3 victory in the Ba/Tavua/Ra Zone final at Garvey Park, Tavua, last Saturday.
Many players from this team were part of the school’s Under-18 sevens rugby team that narrowly lost to eventual winners Ratu Navula College 15-10 at the HFC Bank Stadium during the Term One holidays.
“This is the first time we are fielding three teams, and I hope that the Under-19 side makes an impact,” said David King Wise, head of the PEMAC department.
“The team looks in top form, with the boys’ morale at its peak,” he added.
Key players for the side include Bulai, who plays prop, full-back Pio Bosco Tikoisuva (Jr.), and winger Petero Dauniseka.
In the U16 grade, the Josateki Naliva-captained team will face Sigatoka Methodist College in the quarterfinal.
“This team consists of only 16 boys who were left out from the two teams, and it has performed impressively. They were undefeated in the zone, and we hope they can progress beyond the quarters,” Wise said.
Coached by Thomas Vuto, the team also benefits from dynamic flankers Rupeni Nailatikau and Asivorosi Nahiga, who will be crucial in the breakdowns.
In the U15 grade, the Osea Naura-captained side will take on Cuvu College.
“This is the same group of boys that made history earlier this year by winning the National Secondary Schools Rugby League Under-15 grade final,” Wise noted.
The team also features prominent players such as Seruvi Vakalolo, Semi Sasai, and Eneri Saunivalu.
Tomorrow’s draws:
U15: Natabua High School vs. Swami Vivekananda College, Sigatoka Methodist College vs. AD Patel, Ba Methodist vs. Cuvu College, Ratu Navula College vs. Ba Provincial Freebird.
U16: Ba Provincial Freebird vs. Swami Vivekananda College, Cuvu College vs. Ra High School, Ba Methodist High vs. Sigatoka Methodist College.
U17: Xavier College vs. Korovuto College, Sigatoka Valley Secondary School vs. AD Patel, Natabua High vs. Nadi Muslim College, Ratu Navula College vs. St Thomas High School.
Under-19: Ba Methodist vs. Sigatoka Valley Secondary School, Nasikawa Vision College vs. Nasau Secondary School, Ratu Navula College vs. Drasa Secondary School, Ba Provincial Freebird Institute vs. Sigatoka Andra Sangam College.
U14: Ratu Navula College vs. Ra High School.
U18 pool plays: Cuvu College vs. Ratu Navula College.
Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj