Natabua High School has made its mark in the Vodafone Deans U18 tournament, claiming a narrow 20-17 victory over Marist Brothers High School in a thrilling quarter-final match held at Churchill Park. With passionate support from their fans, Natabua displayed resilience and composure throughout the game.
The match kicked off with Natabua taking the initiative, with Sairusi Seru scoring the first try in the 10th minute, later followed by a converted try and a penalty kick by captain Suliasi Totoko to secure a 10-7 lead at halftime. Marist Brothers responded with a converted try from Viliame Elo, keeping the match competitive.
In the second half, Natabua maintained the momentum as Ropate Varani added another try, which was once again converted by Totoko. However, Marist’s Ase Fuli leveled the scores 17-17 with a penalty and a converted try from Semi Kamikamica, setting up a tense final few moments.
With the clock winding down, Natabua pushed forward and earned a penalty, with Totoko stepping up to land the critical kick that sealed the win and sparked jubilation among their supporters. Totoko dedicated the victory to the team’s fans, acknowledging their unwavering support from Sigatoka to Ra.
Looking ahead, Natabua is gearing up for the semi-finals scheduled for next Saturday, where they aim to continue their strong performance and keep the Western Zone’s hopes alive in the national championship.
This victory highlights the competitive nature of the Vodafone Deans tournament and showcases the determination of young athletes. Fans can look forward to an exciting semi-final as Natabua aims to build on this momentum.
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