Nadroga rugby team’s co-coach Aca Ratuva has acknowledged that their Skipper Cup win, which ended their seven-year winless drought was through divine intervention.

The Stallions upset defending champions FMF Suva 22-17 in the Skipper Cup final at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, on Saturday.

“We’ve been through a lot of rough patches along the way but it didn’t deter our spirits to come back fighting,” Ratuva said.

“It was great to get the win and send our fans back home in a jovial mood.”

Ratuva said he had told the players to keep building their phases with a fast paced backline to rely on.

“We knew Suva was going to attack us in the forwards and we took our chances so we’re really grateful that we’ve won,” the former Flying Fijian openside flanker said.

“We knew Suva was going to be strong around the fringes so I’m glad the defence was solid.”

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Ratuva said he was also pleased to see his young players’ step-up to the big stage of provincial rugby.

“We have a lot of young players in our ranks so that is confidence for them to take back and build up for next season,” he said.

“The win is dedicated to all the Nadroga rugby supporters.”

Ratuva said he did not want to let the Skipper Cup slip away from their possession.

“We had a mission this year to get both the trophies but we fell short to Naitasiri in the Farebrother challenge,” he said.

“We just didn’t want to let this go because we knew it was now or never.”

Ratuva said he was proud to win the Skipper Cup after a lapse of seven years.

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