Victorious Cuvu College under-17 coach Nimilote Dau saluted his gallant warriors for sticking to his game plan that saw them overcome Dudley High School 12-3 in the final at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka yesterday. Dau, a forwards coach for the Nadroga under-20 team, said he told his players to open up play in the first-half.
"The plan in the first-half was to force the big Dudley players to run around the paddock and suck the gas out of them," Dau said.
He said the players did exactly what they were told which gave them victory.
Dudley opened the scoring from a penalty kick for a 3-0 lead at the break.
Tevita Kasikasi scored Cuvu College's first try in the 11th minute of the second-half to lead 5-3. Eight minutes later, loosehead prop Eapi Deku Kulavere ran 22 metres to the tryline.
Kulavere's try was converted to make it 12-3.
Dau singled out flankers Ananaisa Neivivi and Josateki Vakalagi as his key players.
"They have a great future in rugby if they continue with their current form," Dau said.
"But I would like to take my hat off to all these players for their sacrifices over the last few months and also for being the only Nadroga school to reach the final in any age grade of the Deans."