Lelean Memorial School have denied history-makers Navatu Secondary School after edging them 15-14 in the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Super Deans Under-19 final at the HFC Bank Stadium this afternoon.
Navatu, who have been on a fairytale run as the only Northern team to make it past the eliminations, were sadly denied by the boys from Davuilevu.
In a game where the two sides were evenly matched, it came down to who could best adapt to the conditions, with Lelean using their kicks into space to keep Navatu guessing and on the back foot.
Lelean just had their noses in front, leading 8-7 at halftime.
In the second half, as the heavens opened up, both teams brought out their big guns as they tried to close out the game.
The team from Davuilevu had half the stadium behind them, cheering them on to victory.
Navatu captain Vilimone Kanawabu thanked their supporters and families for standing behind them.
Kanawabu says the team had to sell copra to raise funds for their campaign.
His main message was to teams from the North — they have just shown that anything is possible, and teams should not take the big, prominent schools at face value.
He says if Navatu can make it all the way to the final, then anyone can.
Looking at other results, Ratu Navula College defeated QVS 22-17 to claim the Under-14 title, RKS beat Marist Brothers High School 17-15 to claim the Under-15 title, while Grammar defeated QVS 40-12 in the Under-16 final.
Nasinu Secondary School beat Saint Vincent College 15-0 in the Weet-Bix Raluve Under-16 final, while Nasinu also defeated Ra High School 30-15 in the Under-18 third-place play-off.
Grammar were crowned Under-17 champions after defeating RKS 24-15.
Meanwhile, Lomary Secondary School are playing MGM High School in the Raluve Under-18 final, while Lelean will meet Grammar at 5pm in the Under-18 Deans final.
Stay with us for more updates.
