The under-19 Bhasin Cup of the Crest Chicken Fiji Secondary Schools Hockey has returned to Ovalau as St John’s College, Cawaci, triumphed in the final held in Laucala Bay, Suva. They defeated St Thomas High School from Lautoka with a score of 1-0.
St John’s College showcased a strong performance on the new, fast national hockey turf, reinforcing their position as favorites and champions. Head coach Metuisela Masi expressed his joy, highlighting the significance of the win for the team and their supporters.
He stated, “It’s a big thing for the team, the parents, and supporters who have been with us this entire week. It’s unfortunate for our girls who lost in the final, but we are going back with this trophy, and that’s worth celebrating.”
The match followed their earlier encounter in the pool stages, which provided Cawaci with the experience needed to secure victory in the finals. Masi noted, “It was a tough game; St Thomas gave us a good run, but the boys stuck to the game plan. We identified key players on the opposing team to defend against, and the boys executed that well.”
The team plans to celebrate their victory and will resume their efforts in the new year when they host the competition in Levuka.
In other results, Sangam Sadhu Kuppuswamy Memorial College (SSKMC) claimed both titles in the girls’ division. Their U16 team won the Melaia Sandy’s Cup, defeating St John’s Cawaci 4-2 in a penalty shootout, while their U19 side captured the Westmere Cup, also beating St John’s Cawaci 1-0. Additionally, Tilak High School secured the Noal Gibson Cup with a 1-0 win against Marist Brothers High School.