The inaugural Ba Tikina Championship, held last year, played a significant role in the Ba Rugby team’s advancement to the quarter-finals of the Skipper Cup competition earlier this year. Ba Rugby Union secretary Gabby Kautoga expressed his enthusiasm at the commencement of the 2024 Ba Tikina Championships, which started yesterday at Vinod Patel Park.
Kautoga noted the importance of the Tikina Cup, highlighting the impressive turnout on the opening event. He mentioned that all participating teams had adequately prepared, leading to an elevated level of competition compared to the previous year.
“This competition provides our players with much-needed game time, especially since we anticipate the Skipper Cup will likely begin early next year, allowing our players to prepare thoroughly,” Kautoga stated. He also mentioned that following the Tikina Cup, they would hold the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ as the final trials for all teams before selecting the Ba team for the Skipper Cup competition.
Kautoga emphasized that the championship serves as a bridge for players transitioning from club level to the Skipper Cup. He added, “The competition lasts for five weeks and goes beyond just rugby. From the Vanua perspective, it has successfully united the entire Tikina.”
In the Ba Industries Cup, the results from the matches were as follows: Savatu defeated Naloto 29-17, Veiyasana triumphed over Yakete 37-10, Nailaga narrowly beat Bulu 10-8, and Magodro faced Qaloyalatina, losing 18-23.