In the latest development in the Fiji Secondary School Rugby League series, Ratu Latinara College snatched the Southern Zone Girls Open Grade title with a dramatic last-minute try to beat Namosi Secondary School 12-8 at St Marcelin Primary School grounds in Vatuwaqa over the weekend.
The decider came after both teams battled heavy rain and muddy underfoot conditions, with the score locked at 8-8 in the final minute. Latinara’s match-winner was scored close to the uprights, pushing the visitors ahead and sealing a tense finish that drew applause from the many fans who braved the weather to watch the encounter.
Head coach Ratu Seru Kuriyalavou said the victory was the result of meticulous preparation and mental toughness. “The girls have put on the hard yards in training from school, and we just displayed today what the girls have been working on,” he said. Kuriyalavou added that rehearsing late-game scenarios helped the team remain composed under pressure: “The message to the girls was to stay cool… we have rehearsed these types of sessions before in school that in the final stages it will be very tough.”
Latinara recovered from a 0-4 halftime deficit, responding in the second half to force the dramatic finish. Captain Narrel Bolei said she urged the team to stay positive at the break. “At half time the message was to remain positive and to never give up and in the second half we managed to score the winning try in the last minute,” she said, adding that the outcome exceeded her expectations.
Both sides showed determination in testing conditions, with the heavy downpour turning the pitch slick and demanding strong defence and ball control. Kuriyalavou praised his players’ ability to stick to the game plan despite the elements and the pressure of a close final.
With the Southern Zone title wrapped up, Latinara now heads into the national championships this week buoyed by the confidence of a spirited comeback. Namosi, while disappointed, also signalled readiness for the next stage after a performance that kept the final in doubt until the dying moments. The close finish suggests an entertaining national tournament ahead for Fiji’s schoolgirl rugby league competition.
Leave a comment