Sprinter Nemani Mudreilagi scored the winning try as Natabua High School’s U-18 team beat Ratu Navula College 20-18 to secure a place in the finals of the Western Secondary School Super Deans Championship this week.

The semi-final win at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday also confirmed Natabua’s qualification to the 2019 Vodafone Secondary Schools Super Deans Championship after a lapse of five years.

WHAT HAPPENED

Defending champions Ratu Navula opened proceedings in the 12th minute with a try to Solomoni Nakunilasa.

The Nadi school extended their lead with a penalty to Isimeli Ratunavu four minutes later before Natabua fullback Ananaisa Yalayala replied with a penalty to close the gap 8-3.

Ratu Navula extended their lead through Ponitiasi Naqia, which was converted by first-five eighth Ratunavu, with the first-half ending Ratu Navula 15-6 Natabua.

Natabua came out firing in the second spell with loose forward Lesi Korovavala scoring in the 44-minute, converted by Yalayala to make it 15-13.

Ratu Navula’s Viliame Kaikaivonu scored through a penalty to make it 18-13 in the 62nd before Natabua’s Mudreilagi crossed over for the winning try three minutes later.

COMMENTS

Natabua head coach Rupeni Caucau said: “We are so humble in the victory and we thank Ratu Navula for giving us a tough match.

“We will work so hard to battle Cuvu College in the finale.”

OTHER RESULTS:

Under 19: Ba Provincial 22-16 Nasikawa Vision, Xavier College 29-0 SVC,

Under 17: Natabua High 25-14 Sigatoka Valley, Tavua College 20 – 17 Ratu Navula

Under 16: Cuvu College 30- 23 Natabua High, Ba Provincial 41- 19 Sigatoka Methodist

Under 15: Natabua High 48- 5 Sigatoka Methodist, Ratu Navula 35-17 AD Patel.

DRAWS:

Under 18: Cuvu College vs Natabua High School

Under 19: Ba Provincial vs Xavier College

Under 17:  Natabua High vs Tavua College

Under 16: Cuvu college vs Ba Provincial

under 15: Natabua High vs Ratu Navula

-Edited by Sheldon Chanel

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