The Ba Methodist High School Under-19 rugby team, captained by Kaliova Bulai, is determined to make a strong impact in the Western Secondary Schools Rugby Deans Championship quarterfinals 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, last Saturday. Many players from this squad participated in the school’s U18 sevens rugby team that narrowly lost to Ratu Navula College 15-10 during the Term One holidays at the HFC Bank Stadium.
“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 boosted to the fullest.”
The squad will rely on key players including prop Bulai, full-back Pio Bosco Tikoisuva (Jnr), and winger Petero Dauniseka.
In the U16 category, the team led by captain Josateki Naliva will face Sigatoka Methodist College in the quarterfinals. “This team, consisting of only 16 boys who were not selected for the other teams, has been remarkable. They were undefeated in the zone, and we hope they can advance beyond the quarterfinals,” Wise stated. The team, coached by Thomas Vuto, also features dynamic flankers Rupeni Nailatikau and Asivorosi Nahiga.
In the U15 category, the team captained by Osea Naura will go up 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 remarked. The team includes notable players such as Seruvi Vakalolo, Semi Sasai, and Eneri Saunivalu.
Tomorrow’s match schedule includes:
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.