Victorians edge RKS in cliff-hanger climax August 20, 2007
Led by inspirational captain in number eight Waqabaca Kotobalavu, the experienced Victorians who had the services of six Fiji under 19 players looked like they were going to trounce the smaller Lodonian pack.
But a good kicking game by pivot Sakiusa Malai and some spirited defence by the Lodonians prevented QVS from crossing their line until the 30 minute mark.
Lanky half back Kolinio Vunaki snuck under a couple of defenders to register the first points on the scoreboard and converted his own try from out wide.
The favoured Victorians played some enterprising rugby as they put their bigger forward pack in motion and set their backline which had the services of star wingers Kini Murimurivalu and Kitione Maivalili constantly putting their team on the front foot with some rampaging runs.
But poor finishing proved to be a problem for QVS as RKS stood their ground in defence.
QVS led at the breather 7-0.
RKS approached the game with a lot more vigour in the second half and played with more purpose as they continued to probe with some well formed forward plays and free flowing game.
While the heavy underfoot may have hampered their approach, the underdogs sent shivers down the Victorians camp when pieced a well engineered forward drive to score through open side flanker and Captain Josaia Tokarua from a rolling maul just minutes from time.
Malai missed the conversion and two minutes later referee James Bolabiu pointed to the centre for the end of the game.