Marist Upsets RKS, No Eastern Teams In Semis

For the first time no teams from the Eastern Zone has made it to the Vodafone Deans Trophy semifinals.

This was after Marist Brothers High School Under-18 side upset favourites Ratu Kadavulevu School 16-13 in the final quarterfinal clash at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, this afternoon.

After coming in third in the Southern Zone, MBHS engaged the services of Fijiana Sevens head coach Saiasi Fuli and that made the difference.

RKS took an early 5-0 lead and seemed to be in control of the game.

However, things changes when MBHS opted to kick behind their back and pressure them into mistakes.

This paid dividend when from a maul the ball was spun to the back and winger Mikaele Senibua crashed over the first try, which was converted by fullback Brendan Song for a 7-5 lead. Then Song was again on target with a penalty kick to extend their lead to 10-5.

RKS fought back with first five eight Meli Caginimasei dictating their moves as the opened up the game and came short of the try line. The ball was quickly recycled and lock Jonathan Cokomata dived over to score their second try.

The conversion missed as they were levelled 10-10.

Minutes before halftime, RKS took the lead 13-10 when Cokomata landed a penalty kick.

In the second half it was MBHS who played smart rugby to pressure the RKS players into committing basic mistakes and were often penalised.

Replacement wing Joseva Matawalu was able to convert two penalties to put them in front 16-13.

RKS had a chance to level the scores with a kickable penalty but instead opted to kick for touch and lost the ball in the lineout.

MBHS will take on Ba Provincial Free Bird Institute in next Saturday’s semifinal while Suva Grammar School faces Natabua High School in the other semifinal. Both semifinals will be played at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.

FULL RESULTS

U15:

Natabua High 33-10 Nasinu Secondary

RKS 34- 0 Suva Grammar

QVS 29 -3 Ra High School

Lelean  Memorial 9-8 Marist Brothers High School

U16:

RKS 15-3 Ratu Navula College

Suva Grammar 20-3 Lelean Memorial School

QVS 10-0 Nasinu Secondary School

Cuvu College 18-12 Marist Brothers High School

U17

MBHS 12-10 Lelean Memorial School

Suva Grammar School 20-12 Natabua

QVS 30-7 Nasinu Secondary School

RKS 25-20 Sigatoka Methodist High School

U19

Ratu Navula College 10-8 QVS

Ra High School 15-13 Nasinu Secondary Schook

RKS 15-7 St Bedes College

Naitasiri High School 13-15 Lelean Memorial School

U18

QVS 19-21 Natabua

MBHS 16-13 Ratu Kadavulevu

Ba Pro 12-5 Nasinu Secondary School

Suva Grammar School 21-8 Lelean Memorial School

Story By: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj