Western Division ends Central’s reign in challenge

The Western Division team claimed a narrow 17–14 victory over defending champions Central Division in the National Fire Authority (NFA) annual rugby challenge last Friday at the Marist Brothers High School grounds, Suva.

The Western Division team returned as the new champions.

Tournament organisers said the result marked a strong finish for the Western side.

“The Western Fire Division came out victorious,” organisers said.

They added that the match showed solid discipline and effort from both teams.

The win ended Central Division’s hold on the title, which they carried into the competition as defending champions. The match remained competitive throughout, but Western held on after scoring the final points of the game.

The tournament also included other division events earlier in the week inlcuding a drill and volleyball competition.

Central Division won the volleyball event, giving them one title from the week.

Organisers confirmed that the Northern Division would challenge for the rugby shield next year.