10-Year Drought Drives Lelean U19 side

Being without a title for more than a decade is what drives the Lelean Memorial School Under-19 side, says assistant principal Ulaiasi Vakatawakoula.

The Josua Baleiwai-captained Lelean Memorial School side will face Navatu Secondary School in the Vodafone Fiji Secondary School Deans Under-19 final at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva this Saturday.

The Davuilevu side defeated Western powerhouse Ratu Navula College 36-27 in the semi-final at Churchill Park in Lautoka last Saturday. LMS led 24-21 at halftime.

Baleiwai, who is originally from Tavuki, Kadavu, acknowledged the boys for their do-or-die attitude.

"Thank the boys: the supporters and fans. We are prepared and will look forward to the final," he said.

Vakatawakoula said the team’s focus has now shifted fully to final preparations after a hard-fought semi-final.

"It was a very challenging game for us; Ratu Navula College were able to take us right to the wire.

"We are so thankful for the effort that we have given in the game. We also thank our school old scholars, school, families, and friends for supporting the school team.

“As we are in a ten-year drought now, this might be our year," he said.

Vakatawakoula said the team would return to the drawing board to correct mistakes and fine-tune their preparation ahead of the final against Navatu Secondary School, who have made history as the first team from the North to reach a Deans final.

"We will go back to the drawing board and recheck our mistakes and how we can improve on those.

“We will remain humble and we will try to forget this victory; we look forward to the very important one, which is the final."