TWO prison inmates basked in Namosi's rugby glory as chants of 'Kwaca Na Vatu' rocked Ratu Cakobau Park yesterday.
Lock Vaione Tegu and prop Viliame Ragose scored a try each and were praised by jubilant coach Timoci Wainiqolo.
B Division champions Namosi smashed major union tailenders Rewa 43-6 in the promotion/relegation match to get back into the top flight.
"It's good for them. They proved their worth," said Wainiqolo, who scored Fiji's winning try against New Zealand at the 1991 Hong Kong Sevens final.
"It's only right to give them the chance they deserve, a go at the sport that they are good at."
The duo, inmates at Naboro, featured for Namosi as part of the Yellow Ribbon program under the guidance of the Fiji Correctional Services.
Giant Tegu had an outstanding game alongside his lock partner Seniasi Batilewena.
Tegu scored the first five-pointer in fine fashion. He showed sheer strength and determination to power over underneath the crossbar in the tackle of three Rewa defenders midway through the first half. Ragose outmuscled the opposition from the fringes of the ruck to dot down and give his side a comfortable 24-6 lead at the break.
Openside flanker Sakiusa Nadruku scored in between Tegu and Ragose's tries and with three second half tries to fullback Ilai Tinai and substitutes Leo Naikasau and Sakiasi Ravutugaga, Namosi was simply a cut above the Rewans. So, they fully deserved to lap up the victory in front of some 2000 vocal travelling fans to the tune of Tina Turner's 'Simply the Best'.
Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua was elated and told his troops to "keep the light shining" and to go on and become bigger and better from hereon.
"It was a team effort and I want to thank the coach, captain and the players for a job well done," said Ratu Suliano, a top former Fiji soccer striker.
"We were winning games 40-plus before this and again we breached that mark. That's a good sign of things to come."
Rewa's only points came from two penalties by fullback Josese Vakatawakoro.