The under-19 Bhasin Cup of the Crest Chicken Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey has returned to Ovalau. St John’s College, Cawaci showcased their skills under the intense heat of Laucala Bay in Suva, defeating St Thomas High School from Lautoka 1-0 in the final yesterday.
St John’s College, living up to their favorites label, displayed a commanding performance on the new, fast national hockey pitch. Head coach Metuisela Masi expressed his joy after the match, emphasizing the significance of the victory for the team and their supporters.
“It’s a huge accomplishment for the team, the parents, and supporters who have been with us throughout the week. Unfortunately, our girls lost in the final, but we are thrilled to return with this trophy,” he said.
Both teams previously clashed during the pool stages, which gave Cawaci the advantage heading into the finals. Masi noted, “It was a challenging game; St Thomas played well, but the boys adhered to the game plan, and we are pleased with the result. We knew which players to focus on defensively. I instructed them to mark two particular players on the opposing team, and they executed the strategy effectively.”
The team plans to celebrate the victory and will resume preparations in the new year when they host the competition in Levuka.
In other results, Sangam Sadhu Kuppuswamy Memorial College (SSKMC) achieved success in both girls’ divisions. Their U16 team triumphed over St John’s Cawaci in a penalty shootout, winning the Melaia Sandy’s Cup 4-2, while their U19 team also defeated St John’s Cawaci 1-0 to secure the Westmere Cup. Additionally, Tilak High School claimed the Noal Gibson Cup with a 1-0 victory against Marist Brothers High School.