Tepatasi held off a second half come back by Laumua o Tumua to win the 2nd annual Marist Rugby Club Festival by 26 points to 21.
The Aleipata side came out guns blazing in the first half – securing an early lead, leaving last year’s 2024 Marist Rugby 100 Year Celebration champions tryless 19-0.
Laumua o Tumua Afega launched a second half comeback; putting a quick 7 points onto the scoreboard.
But it came down to the team with the least mistakes, and Tepatasi were able to capitalise and add their own 7 points in the second half to extend their lead to 26-7.
Desperate to defend the title, the Laumua o Tumua side were able to score two more converted tries and closed the gap to just 5 points with tries to veterans Ueta Avaotuna and Mikaele Toilolo.
But it was too little too late. As the clock ticked down, Tepatasi held onto their lead to take the final and be crowned Champions of the 2nd annual Marist Rugby Club Festival.
On route to the final Tepatasi defeated hosts Marists Rugby Club in the semifinal and Vaiala Ulalei in the quarter final.
Laumua o Tumua Afega had edged out Siumu in the semifinal and Moataa in the quarters.
Kokonut Production Tama Uli were edged out by Siumu in the quarterfinal. Marist Rugby Club had taken out Lupesiliva Sapapalii in their quartetfinal.
This is the second year since the Marist Rugby Club was established, and the second year of the Marist Rugby Festival. Last year the tournament was held as a double celebration of 100 Years of Marist Rugby in Samoa.
Marist Rugby Club President, Tapunuu Roger Warren said the focus is on the development of rugby at the grassroots level for both men and women.
That is why the Rugby Festival is the club’s major event, extending the tournament to 3 days to allow for Girls and Boys divisions.
The Under 18 Boys division was won by Tama Uli, and the Under 19 girls was taken by Itu-o-Tane; both from Savaii.
The Under 16 Boys division was won by the hosts, Vodafone Marist Rugby Club Development.
The Rugby Festival was an initiative of the late Leituala Joseph Oliver Chan Ting, one of the original founders of Marist Rugby Club, and inaugural Tournament Director.
This year, Le’anava Lesā Fotutāma’i Tavita Penaia Te’o stepped up to the role and led the organisation of a spectacular 7s tournament in Paradise.
The Marist Rugby Club acknowledge their naming sponsor, Vodafone Samoa for the support, as well as major sponsor and loyal grassroots rugby supporters, Taula Beverages and Taxi.
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