Defending champions Queen Victoria School are making strong progress in their quest to retain the under-18 Vodafone Super Deans title. They secured a victory over Marist Brothers High School, defeating them 13-6 in the quarter-finals held on Saturday.
Coach Josaia Waiwalu expressed relief at reaching the semi-finals, especially in light of the upsets that occurred during the day. “It was a significant challenge against Marist, who really pushed us. We anticipated a tough match, and they indeed gave us a run for our money. However, I’m glad it’s over, and we can focus on the upcoming game against Ratu Navula,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Ratu Navula managed a comeback against Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School, winning their quarter-final 16-10. Waiwalu noted the need to be aware of this resilience in their semi-final match.
“Every team is here to win, and they have trained rigorously. We are committed to preparing thoroughly, and we must remain vigilant. Our goal is to maintain our focus for the full 70 minutes when we play Ratu Navula,” he said. “We experienced some lapses in concentration during the second half, and it’s crucial that we improve on that. We started strong, but we eased off toward the end, which allowed Marist to capitalize on our mistakes. This has been a valuable lesson for us, especially after two weeks without any games.”
The team is set to intensify their preparations today for the semi-finals scheduled for this Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.