RKS march to the final with disciplined, attacking display in U17 semi
Ratu Kadavulevu School’s under-17 rugby side produced a commanding display to down Ba Provincial Freebirs Institute 22-8 in a semi-final at Burkhurst Park, Suva. The win earns RKS a place in the final against Lelean Memorial School next weekend.
Ba Pro struck first, converting a penalty two minutes into the match to take a 3-0 lead. RKS answered quickly, crossing for a try and moving ahead 5-3. Both teams were reduced to 14 players after a brief scuffle led to yellow cards for discipline issues. The visitors from Saru, Lautoka, wrestled momentum and went ahead 8-5 with a well-worked try.
RKS hit back just before the break, driving into Ba Pro territory and scoring under the posts to reclaim a 12-8 lead at halftime. Early in the second half, a penalty extended the advantage to 15-8. The turning point came as RKS tightened their forward attack, using a string of pick-and-drive plays to score again and stretch the lead to 22-8. Delainakaikai’s troops fought hard to defend their advantage, but RKS held on to secure a spot in the final.
RKS’s victory continues a strong run for the Tailevu-based school in Fiji’s secondary-school rugby scene. Recent weeks have seen RKS make waves in the Vodafone Super Deans competition, including a dramatic U17 final in which they edged Marist Brothers High School 35-34, underscoring the depth and quality across RKS’s programs. The upcoming final against Lelean Memorial School promises another high-stakes showdown for a team riding momentum into the title decider.
Commentary and context: The semi-final showcased RKS’s ability to seize momentum with a rapid reply after Ba Pro’s early lead, and their forwards’ physical ball-carrier presence was pivotal in creating the late scoring opportunity that sealed the win. With the final looming, RKS will look to carry this form into what should be a highly anticipated clash with Lelean.
If you’re compiling a quick takeaway: RKS demonstrated resilience, structured play, and a forward-driven game plan that paid off in a solid semi-final performance and sets them up for a mouth-watering grand finale.
Fijian language summary
Vakaraitaki ena Vosa Vakaviti
RKS sa lewe ni timi Under-17 curu ki na final ni rugby ni semi-final e Burkhurst Park, Suva, vakalailai ki Ba Pro 22-8. Na RKS ena sotavi Lelean Memorial School ena final ena macawa mai muri. Na Ba Pro e tekivu kei dua na penalty ena minut 2, ia na RKS e qai curu ki tikina 5-3. E vakavakacora na timi mai Saru ena vanua, me vaka na 14 na tamata dua na gauna. Na RKS e kena 12-8 ena i vakavinakataki ni valenikavataki. Ena daliga ni gauna ni ivakatakilakila, na RKS e curu tale ki na 22-8 ena dua na tukutuku ni pick-and-drive, qai vakarorogo na delainakaikai me vakayagataka na iotioti ni gauna. Na nodra itavi vakaturaga kei na masu ni timi e vakauqeta na RKS me vakavurea na final.
Summary
RKS’s under-17 side advanced to the final with a 22-8 win over Ba Pro, setting up a showdown with Lelean Memorial School. The result adds to RKS’s recent strong run in Fiji’s secondary-school rugby, highlighted by a dramatic U17 final victory earlier in the season, and bodes well for a competitive title decider.
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