The under-18 final of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Vodafone Deans Competition next weekend promises to be a thrilling encounter as Queen Victoria School (QVS) takes on Nasinu Secondary School. Both teams advanced through their semi-final matches held yesterday, setting the stage for an exciting Eastern versus Southern final at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
QVS aims to uphold its rich rugby legacy, while Nasinu is seeking its first-ever Deans U18 title. Fans were treated to two intense semi-finals yesterday in Laucala, filled with nail-biting action right from the start.
In the first semi-final, Nasinu faced off against Cuvu College in a closely contested match, securing a 33-20 victory. Nasinu scored five tries in total, three of which came in a remarkable 18-minute stretch during the first half, giving them an early lead of 21-5. Cuvu responded with impressive teamwork and was able to score twice, narrowing the gap to 20-21. However, Nasinu sealed their win with two additional tries in the second half.
The second semi-final featured a dramatic showdown between QVS and Ratu Navula College, drawing a large crowd eager for action. QVS managed to clinch a narrow 17-11 victory. After leading 8-9 at halftime, QVS maintained its edge through a series of penalties. The decisive moment came when Saimoni Vaisova capitalized on a lineout error by Ratu Navula to score the only try of the game, securing QVS’s place in yet another Deans final.
In the Wheet-Bix Raluve U18 competition, Adi Cakobau School narrowly defeated Bucalevu Secondary School 12-5, while Natabua High School triumphed over last year’s champions, Dawasamu Secondary, with a score of 27-22.