THE Lomary Sharks under-19 side caused the biggest upset of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League competition this season when they upset holders Ratu Kadavulevu School 16-12 to win the Bati Tanoa title.
RKS had beaten former holders Lelean 11-10 last week in a match that ended in a brawl and were not able to retain the title in their first defence at the Veiuto Primary Schools grounds in Suva yesterday.
Lomary were trailing 12-8 in the last quarter of the match but were inspired by the loss of one of their team members earlier this month as they rallied back to steal the spoils.
Lomary Secondary School deputy headboy Jone Vucago who passed away two weeks ago after jumping from a moving bus, was a member of the team.
The Bati Tanoa win and the $100 prizemoney was dedicated to Vucago.
In another challenge match, last year's champions Nasinu Panther continued their winning streak to retain the Bati Tanoa for Pool 1 with a 14-6 drubbing of Nabua Broncos.
Avenai Tuidreke scored a brace in the match while Noa Lomani dotted down once and Joeli Radovu contributed with one conversion.
Three penalties from Laijia Cama were the only points scored by Nabua in the match.
FSSRL secretary Biu Colati said Nasinu could be penciled in for the semi-finals of the competition.
He said only one round of competitition which would be played two weeks later and only one obstacle remains in Nasinu's path.
"In a fortnight's time, they will be facing Marist who are another unbeaten team in the competition," Colati said.
"A win for Nasinu would surely cement their spot in the semi-final which would be played a week after that final round of games," he said.