The Under-19 team of Ba Methodist High School, led by captain Kaliova Bulai, is set to give their all in the Western Secondary Schools Rugby Deans Championship quarterfinal at Prince Charles Park in 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. Many players in the team also played in the school’s U18 sevens rugby team, which narrowly lost to Ratu Navula College 15-10 at the HFC Bank Stadium during the Term One holidays.
“This is the first time we are fielding three teams, and I hope the Under-19 side makes an impact,” said PEMAC head of department David King Wise. “The team looks in top form, with the boys’ morale being at its highest,” he added. Bulai, who plays as a prop, alongside full-back Pio Bosco Tikoisuva (Jnr) and winger Petero Dauniseka, are expected to be key players.
In the U16 grade, the team led by captain Josateki Naliva will face Sigatoka Methodist College in their quarterfinal match. “This team consists of only 16 boys who were left out from the other two teams, and has performed exceptionally well. They were undefeated in the zone, and we hope they can advance beyond the quarterfinals,” Wise said. Coached by Thomas Vuto, the team includes standout flankers Rupeni Nailatikau and Asivorosi Nahiga, who excel in the breakdowns.
For the U15 grade, the team led by captain Osea Naura will take on Cuvu College. Wise noted, “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.” Key players in this team include Seruvi Vakalolo, Semi Sasai, and Eneri Saunivalu.
Tomorrow’s match schedule is as follows:
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 Institute
U16: Ba Provincial Freebird Institute vs. Swami Vivekananda College, Cuvu College vs. Ra High School, Ba Methodist High School vs. Sigatoka Methodist College
U17: Xavier College vs. Korovuto College, Sigatoka Valley Secondary School vs. AD Patel, Natabua High School vs. Nadi Muslim College, Ratu Navula College vs. St Thomas High School
Under-19: Ba Methodist High School 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
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