Fiji A Win Inaugural Valley 8's!

The Fiji Bati A Rugby League side have won the inugural Valley 8's Rugby League Tournament held on Saturday the 26th of February at Harbord Park, Sydney. The Fiji Bati A side which featured star players such as Suli Koroi and Hamilton Hughes had to overcome the home side Valley United in the final to take home the $4000AUD ($5200FJD) winners cheque. Fiji made it through the pool stages and had to meet the Tugan Seahawks (Gold Coast team) in the quarter finals. Fiji found Tugan a tough opponent and went into the break leading 10 - 0. Fiji managed to break away in the 2nd stanza winning the match 22 - 8. Fiji's semi final oppoents were the Macksville Sea Eagles who are from the NSW north coast. The Fijians played some tough and exciting Rugby League and some of the biggest tackles of the day were made in this match. Fiji finished the match winning 32 - 12 to progress to the finals. The home side Valley United had knocked off Nth Ryde (Balmain team) in a tight semi final by 24 - 12. The Fijians knew they were in for a tough contest in the final. In what led to an amazing series of events in which Fiji A played parts of the game with only 5 players due to send offs and sin bins, the Fiji A side triumphed 8 - 6. The packed Harbord Park crowd were treated to some enormous tackles and exciting runs by both teams. The Fiji A Rugby League side have decided to donate some of the winnings to the FNRL to help with running the Fiji domestic competition. Other teams to participate on the day were Newtown Jets, Forestville Ferrets, Goodooga and Narraweena (former Australian rep Cliff Lyons team). 2 players that particularly stood out on the day were Suli Koroi and Gilbert Modrau with the latter being courted by the Newtown Jets.

Fiji A team lineup: Suli Koroi Hamilton Hughes (c) Wes Naiqama Vilive Browne Ray Peters Steven Delaivuna Setareki Rakabula Ropati Koi Gilbert Modrau Livai Wara Ofa Loko Steve Bristow