The Ba Methodist High School Under-19 rugby team, led by captain Kaliova Bulai, is determined to give their best in the Western Secondary Schools Rugby Deans Championship quarterfinal at Prince Charles Park in Nadi tomorrow.
They will be up against Sigatoka Valley Secondary School in what promises to be an exciting match.
Under the coaching of 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 in the current U19 squad were part of the school’s U18 sevens rugby team, which narrowly lost to Ratu Navula College 15-10 during the Term One holidays at the HFC Bank Stadium.
“This is our first time fielding three teams, and I hope the Under-19 side makes a significant impact,” said PEMAC head of department David King Wise. “The team is in top form, and the boys’ morale is at an all-time high.”
The team will rely heavily on captain Bulai, who plays as prop, full-back Pio Bosco Tikoisuva (Jnr), and winger Petero Dauniseka.
In the U16 category, the Josateki Naliva-led team will face Sigatoka Methodist College in their quarterfinal. “This team consists of only 16 boys who were left out from the two higher teams, and they have done wonders. They were undefeated in the zone and aim to advance beyond the quarterfinals,” said Wise.
The U16 side, coached by Thomas Vuto, features energetic flankers Rupeni Nailatikau and Asivorosi Nahiga, who will be crucial in the breakdowns.
Meanwhile, the U15 team, captained by Osea Naura, will compete against Cuvu College. Wise added, “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.” The team also includes standout players like Seruvi Vakalolo, Semi Sasai, and Eneri Saunivalu.
Tomorrow’s quarterfinal matchups:
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 can be sent to waisean@fijisun.com.fj.