QVS ‘Never Gave Up’
QVS 15 (Tries- Leweni Mocevakaca, Emosi Namiqa, Penalty- Mocevakaca, Con- Kuruvoli) St John’s 13 (Try-Penijamini Tuicakau, Penalty- Gideon Colatanatawake, Con- Colatanatawake, Drop goal- Colatanatawake
In a thriller Queen Victoria School Under-18 rugby side came from behind to beat St John’s College 15-13 right on fulltime in the Coke Zero Deans Trophy semifinal at the ANZ Stadium, Suva yesterday.
What happened: St John’s put up a good fight in the first half scoring the first try through left wing Penijamini Tunakau and converted by first five eight Gideon Colatanatawake. It took time for Queen Victoria to settle down as they opted to use their big forwards to suck in the opposition defence before spreading the ball outwide. This took its toll on the St John’s defence as in the dying minutes of the first spell Queen Victoria in one such move scored their try through inside centre Leweni Mocevakaca with the conversion going wide.
Halftime: St John’s 7-5 QVS
At the start of the second spell, Colatanatawake extended St John’s lead to 10-5 from a penalty.
The game became scrappy at times as two Queen Victoria players were shown the yellow cards for dangerous play.
Against the run of play St John’s increased their lead to 13-5 from a Colaranatawake drop goal.
Trailing 5-13, the never-say-die attitude of Queen Victoria saw them hit back with a try to No.8 Emosi Namiqa which was converted by Kuruvoli as they narrowed the deficit to 13-12.
The big hits from the Queen Victoria forwards took its toll on St John’s as they were defending desperately.
In a forward rush right on the fulltime hooter saw St John’s penalised for offside right in front of the post with Mocevakaca kicking it over for the much-needed win.
Big Play: St John’s College put up a gutsy performance as they ran the Queen Victoria forwards time and again. Star Turn: Burly QVS No.8 Namiqa was the star of the day as the St John’s defenders had a torrid time trying to contain him.
Comments: Queen Victoria manager Samuela Yalayala said: “We did not give-up in the final minute as we fought hard and won in the final minute. But we still have to improve on our discipline.”
St John’s College captain Berenado Vulakovaki said; “It was disappointing for us, since we’re here to win but good experience coming this far. It was a good game and we thank QVS for that.”