By Pesi Fonua

The final for the Lavengamalie Cup 2008-09 on Saturday January 17 had all the ingredients for an exciting encounter with a $30,000 cheque waiting for the winning team and a consolation prize of $18,000 for the loser.

Meeting in the final match of the summer tournament were the current cup holder Sila Peluua, and a rising star in club rugby, Tupou College Old Boys (Toloa).

After an unusual fanfare, which saw the two teams performing and reciting verses from the bible to decide who was the best in the theology department, and then Sipi Tau's which consisted of vows that 'the glory is for god', the game of rugby finally kicked off on a high and very spiritual note.

The Sila Peluua with a bit of clever playing by their back line and with their heavy forwards, pushed over on the left corner at the northern end of the field for their first try by Soni Masima, four minutes from kick off. They failed with the conversion and the score was 5-0.

Toloa responded almost immediately with a penalty conversion and the score was 5-3.

 

 

 

Sila Peluua then went through a short spell of being over-eager to retain the ball and drove forward, unfortunately illegally. Toloa then was handed two penalty conversion opportunities, missing both.

In the 35th minute, Sila Peluua was awarded a penalty conversion, and the ball went over keeping them in the lead, 8-3.

Toloa knew that half-time was only a few minutes away and they had to put more points on the score board. Their no. 10 delivered with a try, and it was successfully converted by No. 13 and they took the lead for the first time, 10-8.

Sila Peluua did not want to be trailing at half-time either and just before the whistle, Soni Masima scored his second try. The conversion went haywire and Sila Peluua regained the lead 13-10 at the break.

 

 

 

Second half

From kick-off at the second half Toloa put on the pressure and two minutes into the final half there was an attempted drop kick which missed, then in the 16th minute they crossed the line for their second try; it was successfully converted, and toook the lead at 17-13. While leading Toloa really put on the pressure, and there was a long spell with both teams struggling to dominate the game.

Then in the 34th minute Soni Masima scored his third try of the match. The conversion was unsuccessful but the score put them back in the lead at 18-17.

 

It was a cliff-hanger, when in the 38th minute Toloa was awarded a kickable penalty in the middle of the field.

The conversion failed and at full time the score remained at 18-17, and the Sila Pelulua kept the Cup and won a $30,000 cheque.