World Footy News

Leulumoega Fou College (LFC) recently defeated rival school Nu'uausala College to take out back-to-back titles at the Samoa Aussie Rules Football Association secondary school championships at Tuanaimato Oval.

The 4.8 (32) to 0.0 (0) win was sweet revenge for LFC, who lost to Nu'uausala in the tournament's opening round in June and came into the final as underdogs.

Nu'uausala had been the form school coming into the final, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. But the speed, strength and accuracy that made them a powerful side in the round robin games abandoned Nu'uausala in the final and they struggled all day in moving the footy into their forward line.

LFC's half time lead of 15-points did not fully represent the one-sided nature of the game, and it could have been more had LFC kicked more accurately when they had the opportunity. Nu'uausala's coach tried to stir his side up at half time, but LFC picked up where they'd left off and kicked 2.5 to reclaim their title.

LFC captain Nafatali Anora was pleased with the win.

"I thought it was a tough game," he said. "I expected Nu'uausala to perform a little bit better than they did. We really wanted to win and we were confident coming into the final. "We had a couple of good games before the final and that gave us the confidence we needed to win."

Anora acknowledged the hard work put in by his teachers and coaches as crucial to the team's success. He said LFC's goal is to retain the same team for the 2005 tournament.

Avele College defeated Faleata Junior Secondary School 3.10 (28) to 1.3 (9) in the third-fourth playoff.

Polynesian Airlines CEO Malopaia John Fitzgerald was on hand at the final wo present the prizes and congratulate both winners and losers. Best on ground in the final was LFC's Tapulaia Leaupepe. The tournament best and fairest went to Nu'uausala's Faialaga Afamasag.