TILAK Warriors stunned Ba Provincial Dragons in the opening round of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League west zone competition at Natabua High School grounds yesterday.
The newcomers held onto the former champions in the under-18 grade challenge match 10-all to claim the Volau Cup.
Ba Provincial led 6-4 at the break but Tilak High School made a gallant comeback to level the game.
Fiji National Rugby League development officer west and former Fiji Bati Semesa Cadrikilagi was impressed with the performance of the Tilak Warriors.
"This is the first year for the Tilak Warriors but the way they played was if they were in the competition for couple of years," he said.
"The game ended in a draw but it was decided that the Cup should be awarded to Tilak. The prizemoney of $100 was shared between the two teams."
Tilak Warriors will defend the Cup against Nadi College in the challenge match next weekend and Cadrikilagi feels the side will be a team to reckon with this season.
"I spent only two days with Tilak and they were really good. The players have good knowledge of the game and they will surely be a team to beat this season."