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LMS holds record DEANS Trophy winner Lelean Memorial School is the only school to have completed a clean sweep of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union finals. That happened in 1955, former People's Coalition Cabinet member Dr Isimeli Cokanasiga said yesterday.

He said a Times Sport report on Saturday that Ratu Kadavulevu School stood on the brink of greatness if it won all grades was incorrect.

"Lelean has already accomplished that feat in 1955," Dr Cokanasiga, a former Minister for Health. said.

"At the time there were only four grades — midget, junior, intermediate and senior.

"I was captain of the midget team that year.

"I was called by a member of the senior winning team to correct that report," he said.

"It is wrong to say that no school has ever all the grades as Lelean has done it."

Times Sports apologises to all members of the LMS 1955 teams.

Our story should have made it clear no team has won all the grades since the introduction age group competition.

Levula double seals Lelean triumph

Lelean flanker, Joseva Vuliniyawa Levula has caught the eye of Digicel Fiji sevens coach Waisale Serevi after an impressive show in their 20-5 win over Ratu Kadavulevu School in the final of the Deans Trophy in Suva this afternoon.

Levula who hails from Narewa in Nadi scored Lelean’s opening two tries – the first in the 22 minute from a Mosese Baravilala set up and the other in the 33rd minute after he plunged in for the try from a forward drive.

“I have seen him play in the past and today confirmed my stand on bringing him into the national squad this season,” Serevi said after the 20-5 win.

“He is a good player, has the height and strength to step in. Given the proper training and guidance I am confident he could do well in the training squad.”

Levula the second eldest of five children was ecstatic over the maestro’s selection, saying things were looking good for his 2011 dream into the Rugby World Cup.

“I want to focus on my fifteens career but we all have to start from somewhere and I am over the moon about what Serevi said,” he said.

He thanked God for his performance and acknowledged Ilaitia Tuisese senior for his words of encouragement in their build up to the finale.

Levula nursing a shoulder injury said he would now take some week to rest and recuperate before he began his training for the sevens season.

“Jo is a talented player, he’s committed and talented. I think given the proper training he could be the next Semisi Naevo of sevens rugby,” LMS coach Alifereti Tawake said.

Meanwhile, the other two tries by LMS were scored in the second half by Jo Vakacegu (13th minute) and Ame Gavidi (26th minute) after Nemani Vadege did the hard yards when he sprinted 50 metres from their territory.

“We just marked the fullback – we saw that he was the main person in the RKS camp that stood out in their last games,” Tawake said about RKS Akuila Toka.

“We wanted to control the game, RKS did not fully utilise their forwards so we had that advatange. We locked them down from the very first whistle and did not give them space to breathe”

AS the Lelean Memorial School Under-19 side bowed in prayer in their changing room after their Coca-Coca Zero Deans victory, their coach Alivereti Tawake could barely close his eyes as he finally realised his achievement.

It is the first time Tawake has coached an U19 side, and it ended with the Deans trophy on his palm.

The Tamavua villager evaded reporters after the game speechless of his achievement and when he did, he thanked the Almighty.

He started coaching the Lelean side since he was posted to the school after graduating from the Fiji College of Advanced Education and has stayed there ever since.

He had even sacrificed studying proper school curriculums to study Physical Education while he featured for his village side, Ports team, in the Suva Rugby Union competition as a utility back.

He first coached a school side from the U15 level in 2002.

His team included players such as national U20 reps Peni Rokodiva and Peni Kilibau.

He used to take his team out on weekends to the Wailoku hills for training and it came to a time when the young people of Tamavua called it their own team.

The side reached the U19 level last year but the school gave the U19 coach position to Henry Murphy who had coach the U19 team to victory in 2006.

This year, the school finally gave the U19 coaching post to Tawake and he did not disappoint.

“I did not coach the team in 2007 due to school posting but when they finally gave it to me this year, I knew it was a big challenge,’ Tawake said.

He added he was fortunate to work with such a talented group of players that were dedicated and patient in working hard to fulfill their goal.

“We made our goal at the beginning of the season and it was to win the Deans. It was a tough road for all us but we had confidence.”

Before his side ran into the final, Tawake had put a game plan when they kept possession upfront and a quick defensive pattern to stop the combination of RKS’s halfback, play maker and inside center.

It worked and RKS’s inside center who had been the pillar of their backs defence fumbled a few balls with some strong timing tackle from his leaner opposite number.

But Tawake believes the win has boosted his confidence in his coaching career.

“This will go down as one of the memorable days in my life and even as a coach; I am really delighted for this win. I thank the players, supporters and the coaching staff and school teachers for all their effort. This win is for them.”

At the locker room, Tawake challenged his players not to leave school and continue their school work.

“You came here for academic purpose so back to school work and I challenge you not to leave school until the year ends,” Tawake told his players.

For Tawake, he looks forward to next year and awaits the decision from the school management of the team he will coach again.

And whatever team is given, Tawake knows what it takes to mould a winning combination at one of the highest levels of rugby in Fiji.

By SAMUELA GUCAKE