FORMER Fiji Under-17 rep Manasa Nawakula scored a hat-trick in Ba's 6-0 thrashing of Labasa in the Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Under-21 League at the academy ground in Ba yesterday.
The big win was enough to earn Ba the 2012 U21 title and add it to the Super Premier title they won last month.
Ba finished ahead of Rewa on goal differential during the zonal playoffs.
Both teams recorded a win and a draw. However Ba scored seven goals with one against for a plus six while Rewa scored five goals with two against leaving them with plus three.
Going into the match Ba needed to win by four clear goals to clinch the title. Labasa donning the Taveuni jersey looked out of sorts against a superior Ba combination.
The northerners rarely bothered Ba goalkeeper Paulo Ratumaikoro.
Ba led 2-0 at halftime.
Nawakula netted in the 25th minute, 52nd minute and 62nd minute.
Praneel Naidu scored in the 37th minute, Narendra Rao scored in the 68th minute while Jope Masibalavu came off the bench to seal the win in the 88th minute.
Ba coach Sheik Ajid was happy with his side. He said they had won the youth title after a long time.
"We are happy to add the U21 title," Ajid said. "The boys started preparing from the beginning of the year. Now we are glad that we to have won the trophy. Ba was the champion when we used to play the youth league before."
"It is very good that the Fiji Football Association has reintroduced the youth league after a very long time. There is something for the youths to play for."
"Fiji FA should continue the youth league. This competition builds the team for the main super premier team. We have potential players in the youth team who are capable of making the senior side."
"This year Malakai Lavetia was drafted in the senior team from our youth squad. A few players are training with the senior squad but may make their debut next year."
Ba won $3000.
Ba: Paulo Ratumaikoro, Sakaraia Naisau, Atonio Tuivuna, Waisea Tuicakau, Alexandra Sidrath, Malakai Lavetia, Prashnil Kumar, Epeli Lairoti, Praneel Naidu, Narendra Rao, Manasa Nawakula.
Labasa: Maciu Vucago, Solodrau Radianirova, Filimone Raniwoso, Semesa Matanaicake, Christopher Wasasala, Manoa Tutaci, Shamal Shalvendra, Josaia Naikalivou, Mohammed Zaid, Mitnesh Raj, Manasa Levaci Jr.