Titikaveka Bulldogs’ dream run in the Cook Islands Rugby League Rarotonga 13s competition came to an end on Friday when the side lost to a determined Arorangi Bears at Raemaru Park.

In the do-or-die semi-final match, the Bears proved to be the stronger side, beating the Bulldogs 20-4 to book their spot in the final against the unbeaten Tupapa Panthers this Saturday.

The Bulldogs made a strong start to the 2025 season before slumping to defeats in the second round, but they managed to fight back to finish in the top four. In the knockout phase, the side defeated last year’s champions, the Avatiu Nikao Eels, 26-22.

Titikaveka Bulldogs co-captain Timothy Tangirere said they tried their best against the Bears but it wasn’t enough.

“We went out there, we tried our best. A few errors went our way, but at the end of the day there could be only one winner, and big sup to Arorangi and wish them all the best,” Tangirere told CIRL after the match.

“I think overall, as a club, as a team, we didn’t expect to come this far. We had a goal at the beginning of the year, which was to win. If we could win one game, we try to win for another, a second, a third … still grateful and proud of the effort of the boys for making it this far.

“I know our supporters are behind us, even though we let them down, but you could see the environment around us, with blue and white right around, that just gives us more motivation to be a better team in the future.”

Tangirere paid tribute to the team management for all their hard work and support throughout the season.

He also thanked all the sponsors.

“Just proud of how far we have come, but it could not happen without the people behind the scenes, from our president and his team, and not forgetting our coach. Our coach, he sacrificed so much this year to get us this far, and also just grateful for Matt, our manager, who’s doing all the hard work.”

The Panthers advanced to the final after defeating the Bears 36-10 in the top-two playoff more than a week ago.