Ba Methodist High School’s Under-19 rugby team, led by Kaliova Bulai, is fully prepared for their quarterfinal match in the Western Secondary Schools Rugby Deans Championship at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, tomorrow. They will face Sigatoka Valley Secondary School in what promises to be an exciting match.
Coached by Paula Tuiloma, the team recently defeated Nasau Secondary School 31-3 in the Ba/Tavua/Ra Zone final at Garvey Park, Tavua. Many team members previously played for the school’s U18 sevens rugby team, which narrowly lost to Ratu Navula College 15-10 during the Term One holidays.
“This is the first time we are fielding three teams, and I hope 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 being boosted to the fullest.” The team will rely on Bulai, along with full-back Pio Bosco Tikoisuva (Jnr) and winger Petero Dauniseka.
In the U16 grade, the Josateki Naliva-captained team will face Sigatoka Methodist College in their quarterfinal. “This team is made up of only 16 boys who were left out from the other teams, and it has performed remarkably. They were undefeated in the zone and hope to advance beyond the quarters,” Wise said. The team, coached by Thomas Vuto, features key players like flankers Rupeni Nailatikau and Asivorosi Nahiga.
The U15 team, captained by Osea Naura, will compete against Cuvu College. Wise noted, “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.” Notable players include Seruvi Vakalolo, Semi Sasai, and Eneri Saunivalu.
Tomorrow’s match schedule is as follows:
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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