VODAFONE Fiji Bati elite squad member Josaia Cikaitoga led his MH Suva Grammar Lions team to a 16-12 win over a game Nasinu Secondary School Panthers outfit.
The win put Lion's defence of the Vodafone Secondary Schools Rugby League Competition title on track at Bidesi Park in Suva yesterday.
Newcomers Ratu Sukuna Dragons made a grand debut with an 8-0 win over the Nabua Secondary Broncos. The Grammarians scored three tries to Nasinu's two after taking a 12-6 lead at the breather.
However, the Lions did not have it all their way after Nasinu put up a strong defence in the opening minutes.
Cikaitoga, who stunned rugby league trainers after squatting 240 kilograms, led the hit-ups for the Lions. Converted tries to Beni Raisele in the 11th minute and Lose Cakau in the 19th put the Lions in the lead while Nasinu tough man Lemeki Koroi crossed over in the 14th.
A 36th minute try to Solomoni Railumu put the Lions further in front at 16-6. Waisea Maka scored a consolation try for the Panthers at the final hooter.
Cikaitoga said while the boys from Veiuto were happy with the win, there were a lot of areas that needed to be polished.
"It's the first game of the season and we really haven't had time to prepare a combination.
"We've only been together for the three days," Cikaitoga said.
"There are a lot of new boys in the team and we have fast tracked some of the under-17 players into the senior squad."
Results: Bidesi Park: U15: Ratu Sukuna Dragons 8-18 MH Suva Grammar Lions (U15); Ink Mobile Laucala Bay Sharks 10-10 Nabua Secondary Broncos; U16: Ink Mobile Laucala Bay Sharks 14-11 Nabua Secondary Broncos, Ratu Sukuna Dragons 0-19 MH Suva Grammar Lions; U17: Nasinu Secondary Panthers 8-10 Ink Mobile Laucala Bay Sharks, Nabua Sec Broncos 0-14 MH Suva Grammar Lions; U18: Ratu Sukuna Dragons 12-28 Nasinu Sec Panthers, MH Suva Grammar Lions 16-14 Ink Mobile Laucala Bay Sharks; U19: MH Suva Grammar Lions 16-12 Nasinu Secondary Panthers, Ratu Sukuna Dragons 8-0 Nabua Sec Broncos.
