A thrilling contest took place in Suva last Saturday as the Namuaniwaqa Sea Eagles secured the Vodafone Cup Premier Men’s trophy with a dramatic 32-30 victory over the Vusu Raiders. The match featured a rollercoaster of emotions and nail-biting moments, culminating in a tie at 30-30 at full-time. This led to two sets of extra time and concluded with a decisive golden point from a penalty kick.
The Sea Eagles got off to a strong start, scoring a converted try just six minutes into the game. However, the Raiders fought back, leveling the match with their own try in the 20th minute. As the intensity mounted, both teams battled fiercely, exchanging points and maintaining the suspense that would ultimately stretch the match into extra time. Amid some confusion surrounding a conversion that Namuaniwaqa officials believed had been successful, a review confirmed there was no change to the score prior to the enforcement of the golden point.
It was a penalty awarded to Namuaniwaqa that captured the victory, igniting jubilant celebrations on the field. Emotions ran high as players celebrated with tears of joy, wrapped in traditional cloth by supporters and teammates during a ceremonial ritual known as “vakamamaca.”
Coach Mosese Kaitaci expressed deep gratitude, thanking God, the players, and their devoted supporters for their contributions to this hard-won triumph. He stressed that this victory was not just for the Sea Eagles, but for their entire province of Ra, marking a significant milestone in their journey that began earlier this year at Namuaniwaqa Primary School.
This victory underscores the competitive nature of the Vodafone Cup, echoing the close contests that have become a hallmark of the tournament. In a parallel storyline, the Fiji National Rugby League Women’s competition also witnessed the Police Sharks triumphing over the Yasawa Saints in a tightly contested championship final, underlining the resilience and determination shown by all teams across the league.
As the Sea Eagles celebrate their hard-earned victory, they can look ahead with optimism, carrying their momentum into future seasons and setting a hopeful tone for the challenges that lie ahead.