The Kaliova Bulai-captained Ba Methodist High School Under-19 team is determined to leave no stone unturned in the Western Secondary Schools Rugby Deans Championship quarter-final at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, tomorrow.
They will face Sigatoka Valley Secondary School in what promises to be a thrilling match.
The team, coached by Paula Tuiloma, secured a commanding 31-3 victory over Nasau Secondary School in the Ba/Tavua/Ra Zone final at Garvey Park, Tavua, last Saturday.
Many team members previously played for the school’s U18 sevens rugby team, which 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 PEMAC head of department David King Wise. “The team looks in top form, with the boys’ morale at its peak,” he added.
Bulai, who plays as prop, full-back Pio Bosco Tikoisuva (Jnr), and winger Petero Dauniseka are key players the team will rely on.
U16 Grade
The U16 team, captained by Josateki Naliva, will face Sigatoka Methodist College in their quarter-final match.
“This team consists of only 16 boys who were left out from the two main teams, and they have performed exceptionally. They were undefeated in the zone and we hope they can progress beyond the quarters,” Wise said.
The team, coached by Thomas Vuto, also benefits from the dynamic flankers Rupeni Nailatikau and Asivorosi Nahiga, who will be crucial in breakdowns.
U15 Grade
The U15 team, led by Osea Naura, will compete against 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. Key players in this side include 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
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