BA- Lautoka and Ba surged through to the final of the Courts Homecentres Inter District Championship in Fiji yesterday.
Lautoka skipper Jone Vono Junior led by example in the 2-0 semi-final win over Nadi and dedicated the opening goal to his parents.
Vono’s first half strike demoralised Nadi and the side never recovered.
The 23-year-old cleverly broke clear to collect a cross from Malakai Waqa before chipping the ball over Ben Amino for his third goal in the IDC.
"The goal is dedicated to my parents, Jone Senior and mum Mereani Kalokalo who are here to support me. They have always supported my decision to play soccer.
"To score and contribute for the team is great.
"We came here, I told the players to give their best and enjoy the game. We had a plan and came out firing to win."
"I believe in the boys, they have been struggling at training for the last three weeks since we have been camping and we are reaping the rewards," he said.
Veteran Salesh Sami Bula fisted the air in jubilation after the nippy striker made his presence felt in the semi-final with a class finish to end all hopes of a Nadi comeback.
The Field 40 star came in as a replacement for Osea Vakatalesau and made an instant impact.
His elder brother Peni and Laitia Tuilau starred in defence for the Blues while for Nadi Viliame Toma was always a threat.
In the other semi final Maciu Dunadamu made a miraculous recovery from a leg injury to score the opening goal in Ba’s 3-0 triumph over Labasa.
Dunadamu proved his critics wrong when he nailed a left footer in the 35th minute catching Shamal Kumar unawares under the crossbar.
The national rep who was not expected to return in the black colours after an injury on Saturday made a timely return to set Ba in the right direction in defence of the title.
Ba sparked into action after a nil all first spell scoring three classic goals.
Ba coach Yogen Datt said his positional changes in the second half made the difference.
He said it was good to beat Labasa in front of such a large crowd.
Datt said Ba’s win over Labasa silenced many critics.
"It was certainly a good result," Datt said.
"It was a tight encounter. We made a few changes in the second half and it was the turning point."
The home side found the opener five minutes into the second half.
Dunadamu took an ambitious aim towards the Labasa goalmouth from 25 metres.
On the angle the low shot seemed to be on the way out but hit the corner of the et to the surprise of the Labasa defenders.
The goal gave a new lease of life to the home side. Ba moved into attacking mode threatening from both flanks.
Pita Bolaitoga set up the second goal in the 48th minute.
His timely cross found an unmarked Tuimasi Manuca in the box who easily tapped it in.
Ba sealed the win in the final moments with goal scoring machine Malakai Tiwa finding the net with a classic free kick.
The two teams were tipped to meet in the final, but this did not eventuate, and Labasa went out.