Day 4

Game day.
The atmosphere at Breakfast was electric, all the boys shared the excitement in anticipation of their first game in Fiji.
The bus ride to Namaka Public School took about 30 minutes and the boys let off steam by shouting Bula and waiving enthusiastically at everyone and anything.
The school gave us the best welcome you could imagine. The whole school was assembled on the grass when our boys arrived.

The cheers and screams of their greeting was phenomenal, but nothing compared to the noise they made when their own team arrived. After the welcoming speeches, songs and presentations everyone was ready for a game of rugby.
Our boys were split into 3 teams, Vonu (Turtles), Kekra (Crabs) and Ika (Fish)
First team up Vonu v Mount Saint Mary's Public School
The boys had an excellent surprise Marius Jonker the leading South African International Referee was in town and had agreed to lend his support

For much of the first Half honors were even, Vonu held their line well and their ruck and maul was determined. However, once St Mary's had the ball and some space to run, they were off, the boys put up a spirited defense but the final honors went to St Mary's.

Next Up Kekra v Nadi Public School
Another enthusiastically fought match with guts and determination from both sides, the local press arrived just in time to watch this game, photos were taken and we believe we made the local papers.
Once again the local boys were fast, as soon as they had space they opened up their running game and ran home the winners.

Final game for the day Ika v Namaka Public Schools, our hosts. The game started with an early try for Namaka. Ika had lots of possession and finally turned it into a try. The game ebbed and flowed and half time Namaka were up by a single try. The second half went much the same way as the other games, our lads had lots of ball but Namaka's defense, while lacking discipline, were strong and hung in their to take the win.

Once back at the hotel the boys bathed their aching muscles in the pool and then dinner.
State of Origin was screened in the Zero Bar which is almost at the end of teh island and well away from all the nice people on holiday here, which for a while was a good thing... until the Maroon's raced ahead.