Saoluafata team has retained the U-20 men's Cup in nail-biting circumstances after a hard-fought game against Falefa ended in a draw.

When the full-time whistle blew the teams' scores were locked at 19-each, despite opportunities to break the deadlock. 

The game's beginning did not foreshadow its close ending.

Ten minutes' passed and none of the teams were able to secure a try or any points to put their team's names on the scoreboard until Falefa was penalized for a high tackle. But Saoluafata's first-five was unable to convert the opportunity into points. 

With Saoluafata's restart, they were able to sneak under the posts and secure the first try of the match, and put Saoluafata on the scoreboard. With an unsuccessful conversion was the score was 5 - 0.

Another foul committed by Falefa gave Saoluafata another scoring opportunity. They opted to go for the kick which was successful, extending their lead to 8.

But Falefa mustered up the steam to strike back when Teofilo Atofau secured their first try, and Paulo Paulo did not have any trouble converting bringing the scoreboard to 8 - 7.

With two minutes to go before halftime Falefa was again stung with another high tackle against Saoluafata, which led to the latter again opting for a kick again. It went between the post, extending their lead to 11 - 7.

Falefa restarted the game, and more than ten minutes into the second half, Simona Esera secured Falefa's second try at the far-right side of the try line, but their conversion was unsuccessful, 11 - 12.

With Falefa in the lead, Saoluafata now found themselves fighting to retain the cup they have been holding for four weeks. 

The team rose to the occasion accordingly and scored their final try of the game but with an unsuccessful conversion 16 - 12.

With the two teams continuing to wrestle for the cup, Poasa Poasa dove for the far right of the try line. With their conversion successful, Falefa took the lead with only two minutes left on the clock: 19 - 16.

But with only seconds to go and the referee awarded a penalty to Saoluafata for a Falefa fould despite protests. The controversial penalty brought about a successful conversion and the game to a 19 - 19 draw.

There was no extra time added and Saoluafata retained their Cup and will be defending it again next week.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, the captain of Saoluafata, Seuteni Alaivaa, says that they were a bit worried as Falefa was one of the toughest teams in the league. But he gave thanks to the Lord, their supporters, families, and everyone who was supporting them as they gave them hope to continue the match.

"We were a bit worried but I was confident because I saw how much our village who are here today were cheering us on. So we are really happy about today's outcome," he said.

"We will continue to do our best so that we could keep the cup after this round is over. And now we will go back and work on our fitness level, our skills, and our game plans."

The challenger for the cup next week is yet to be confirmed.