Police clinched the Vodafone Sukuna Bowl title after a thrilling 20-19 victory over Army at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. This win marks their 34th title from a total of 66 challenges, showcasing their dominance in this annual competition.
The match began with a contest of kicks, where Police took an early advantage with a penalty scored by flyhalf Ponipate Tuberi. Army soon equalized with a penalty from Jeremaia Tavai, before taking the lead when Police’s Taitusi Lulusinu was sin-binned. Tavai converted a subsequent penalty, putting the Army ahead.
However, Lulusinu quickly redeemed himself by orchestrating a play that allowed Kini Douglas to score a try, which was successfully converted by Tuberi, leaving Police in the lead 10-6 at halftime.
As the second half commenced, Police extended their lead with another penalty from Tuberi. The Army remained competitive, with former Fiji sevens player Rokoua Rasaku scoring a try, though Tavai missed the conversion.
The Police responded with a powerful try from prop forward Inoke Ravuiwasa, again converted by Tuberi. As the game progressed, Army’s Inia Tawalo added a penalty but could not secure the lead despite another try from Rasaku late in the match, as Tavai’s conversion attempt fell short.
As the match approached its conclusion, Police maintained their composure, securing possession after Army’s infringement. Douglas had the final opportunity to score but opted to kick the ball out as the buzzer sounded, sealing Police’s narrow victory.
The success of the Police team reflects the continuous development and high competitive spirit within Fijian rugby, promising an exciting future for the sport. The thrilling match not only captivated the crowd but also highlighted the resilience and determination of both teams.
Overall, this victory reinforces Police’s prowess in the tournament and showcases Fijian rugby’s capacity for closely contested matches, leaving fans eager for the future showdowns in this prestigious competition.
Leave a comment