QVS beats Natabua to win U18 Deans Trophy for the 30th time

Queen Victoria School ended Natabua High School's fairytale run in the 2023 Vodafone Super Deans under 18 Competition coming from behind to claim a 24-15 win in the final at the HFC Bank Stadium this evening.

It was an electrifying match as the crowd told the story with the never ending roar and cheers from the fans of both schools.

It was also a game of two halves as Natabua led 15-5 at halftime before QVS came back in the second half to claim the win.

Natabua scored their first try through lock forward Iliesa Erenavula in the 7th minute of the game with the conversion missing to take an early 5-0 lead.

Fullback Charles Salakikoro extended Natabua's lead to 8-0 with a successful penalty kick at goal in the 11th minute before QVS replied with an unconverted try to number 8 Alipate Ratunagusu to close the gap to 8-5 in the 13th minute.

Natabua's tight head prop Emanueli Penijueli scored their second try to extend their lead to 15-5 at the stroke of halftime.

QVS applied pressure early in the second half and it paid off with a converted try to flanker Ratu Sireli Rokovailavo reducing the deficit to 15-12.

Loose head prop Joseph Caginitabale scored the Victorians third try with the conversion successful to give them a 19-15 lead in the 50th minute.

QVS sealed the win with an unconverted try to fullback Mikaele Vueti in the 67th minute.

Alipate Ratunagusu of QVS was awarded the best player of the match.

This is the 30th time for QVS to win the trophy this includes a few years of them sharing the trophy.

In other results, Marist claimed the under 14 title beating Suva Grammar 13-0 and also won the under 15 title edging RKS 17-12 while RKS beat QVS 19-13 to win the under 16 title.

MGM High School pipped RKS 16-15 to claim the under 17 title and RKS beat QVS 29-21 in the under 19 final.

In the Weet-Bix Raluve Competition under 16 final, Sigatoka Methodist College outclassed Naitasiri Secondary School 22-5 to defend their title while Dawasamu Secondary School edged MGM High School 14-12 in the U18 grade.