FIJI Bitter Suva is the reigning 2012 Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy champions after stopping Lautoka's challenge with a 19-18 win at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
The narrow win over the maroons was the last challenge of the season.
Lautoka came with an experienced team and showed they meant business right from the kick-off with relentless fast and hard running rugby.
This powerful start saw Lautoka shut out the champions in the first 40 minutes.
But the lack of match fitness stood as the determining factor in the clash of the cities as the challengers failed to maintain their form the second half.
On the other hand Suva showed they had what it took to successfully defend the coveted title.
After trailing the sugar city 0-8 at the break, the defending champions slowly wore down the Lautoka pack with quick rucks and rolling mauls which gradually sapped the strength of the opposition.
Suva managed to score three tries in the second half and two of these were scored when the forwards barged their way through the fatigued Lautoka forwards.
Captain Samu Bola led his troops well and again proved his selection into the Flying Fijians team to tour Europe next month was on merit. Bola scored his team's first try.
Bola was full of praise for his boys for a job well done.
The stocky Suva Policeman said they came with a mission to defend the title and he was happy that they've accomplished the task.
"I want to thank God for today's win and also to the players for giving their best," Bola said.
Lautoka skipper Watisoni Votu conceded defeat after the game saying they lost to a better team.
Votu said they came with a plan to beat Suva.
"We came here today to try and upset Suva but we failed and congratulations to Suva for winning the title again," Votu said.
"We thank Suva for giving us a very good game and we also learnt a lot from this match and I hope we will meet again next year."
Suva won the Farebrother title from Nadroga last month and successfully defended it against Naitasiri and Lautoka.