Ba Methodist High School’s Under-19 rugby team, led by Kaliova Bulai, is determined to make a strong showing in the Western Secondary Schools Rugby Deans Championship quarterfinal at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, tomorrow.
The team will face Sigatoka Valley Secondary School in what promises to be an exciting match.
Coached by Paula Tuiloma, Ba Methodist High recently dominated Nasau Secondary School with a 31-3 victory in the Ba/Tavua/Ra Zone final at Garvey Park, Tavua, last Saturday.
Several players from the Under-19 team, who were also part of the school’s Under-18 sevens team, will be key contributors. The Under-18 team narrowly lost to Ratu Navula College 15-10 during the Term One holidays at the HFC Bank Stadium.
“This is the first time we’re fielding three teams, and I am hopeful the Under-19 team will leave a mark,” said David King Wise, PEMAC head of department. “The team is in top form, and the boys’ morale is very high,” he added.
Key players for the team include prop and captain Kaliova Bulai, full-back Pio Bosco Tikoisuva (Jnr), and winger Petero Dauniseka.
In the Under-16 category, captain Josateki Naliva will lead his side against Sigatoka Methodist College in the quarter-final. “This team consists of only 16 boys who didn’t make the other squads, and they have performed exceptionally well. They were undefeated in their zone and aim to progress beyond the quarterfinals,” Wise said.
The Under-16 team, coached by Thomas Vuto, will rely on dynamic flankers Rupeni Nailatikau and Asivorosi Nahiga to dominate the breakdowns.
The Under-15 team, captained by Osea Naura, will face Cuvu College. “This is the same group of boys who made history earlier this year by winning the National Secondary Schools Rugby League Under-15 grade final,” Wise noted. Key players 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