The under-19 Bhasin Cup of the Crest Chicken Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey has returned to Ovalau. St John’s College from Cawaci triumphed in the final against St Thomas High School from Lautoka, winning 1-0 in Laucala Bay, Suva, despite the sweltering heat.
St John’s College demonstrated their superiority, showcasing why they are the champions on the new, fast national hockey turf. Head coach Metuisela Masi expressed his delight after the match, emphasizing the significance of the victory for the team, parents, and supporters.
“This win is a big deal for the team and everyone who has supported us this week. Although our girls faced a tough loss in the final, we are proud to take this trophy home,” Masi stated.
The two teams had previously met in the pool stages, where Cawaci secured a crucial advantage leading up to the final. Masi acknowledged the challenge posed by St Thomas, praising his players for adhering to the game plan. “It was a challenging game; St Thomas provided strong competition, but we stuck to our strategy and achieved a great result,” he noted.
The team will celebrate their victory and prepare for the upcoming competition they will host in Levuka next year. In other results, Sangam Sadhu Kuppuswamy Memorial College (SSKMC) clinched both titles in the girls’ division. Their Under-16 team won the Melaia Sandy’s Cup in a penalty shootout against St John’s Cawaci, while their Under-19 side secured the Westmere Cup by defeating St John’s Cawaci 1-0. Additionally, Tilak High School emerged victorious in the Noal Gibson Cup, winning 1-0 against Marist Brothers High School.