Eels and Sea Eagles battle it out

The BCI Stadium in Nikao and the Avatiu Swamp will host today’s rugby league games with two premier grade games already played yesterday.

The Arorangi Bears headed to Aitutaki to take on the Sharks while the Tupapa Panthers hosted the Titikaveka Bulldogs at Victoria Park.

At the BCI Stadium the junior Warriors will take on the Baby Bears while at the Avatiu Swamp the Eels will host the Sea Eagles. The premier grade match between these two clubs is sure to be a thriller as Ngatangiia seem to have found their form this year and could well upset the Eels on their home ground.

But for the more mature players – the BCI Stadium will be the place to play some masters rugby league.

The masters tournament officially started last Saturday at the swamp. Pat ‘the golden lion’ certainly deserved his player of the day status, with two exceptional runaway tries. Ake Hosea-Winterflood gave a good display of never giving up the chase.

Welcome back to Tere, he who dresses in camouflage gear so he cannot be seen on the field. The straight running of Lucky, Dave and Puna brought back memories of old, although the pace and force has diminished quite noticeably.

Before today’s game at the BCI Stadium – all players are asked to meet at the White House in Takuvaine at 1pm.

All aging and aged male players over 40 are invited to take part, in any capacity, with two teams being made up from the bodies able to get on the field. The games are non-competitive, with the emphasis on enjoyment and having a good time, but you must have shorts of the correct colour for your age.

The International Rules of Rugby League will apply in full, except the committee has agreed that there will be special attention to the tackle rule whereby players only need to be halted, and second tackles will not be encouraged. The masters do not play competition rules. Coloured shorts are worn to designate the players age, with black shorts for those in their 40s, red for those in their 50s, and gold shorts for those over 60. Please wear the shorts appropriate for your age, as the rules will apply to the colour of your shorts with no exceptions for ‘local knowledge’.

More rules will follow in the regular masters league stories as organisers of masters league gear up to get our local papas up to scratch before touring to Australia later this year.

- Matariki Wilson

Saturday 5 at BCI Stadium Warriors vs Bears – 12.30pm under 13 Panthers vs Bears, Ref-P Ngaroi assisted by club officials, 1.30pm under 16, Ref-T Benioni assisted by N Takaiti and P Ngaroi, 2.30pm masters division, Ref-P Roberts assisted by Papa volunteers, 3.15pm reserves, Ref-K Kopu assisted by M Caffery and N Takaiti, 4.30pm under 19, Ref-N Takaiti assisted by K Kopu and M Caffery.

Saturday 5 at the Swamp Eels vs Sea Eagles – 12.30pmunder 13, Ref-Ra Mato assisted by club officials, 1.30pm under 16, Ref-S Teiotu assisted by S Willis and N Tou, 2.30pm under 19, Ref-T Tuakana assisted by A Emile and S Teiotu, 3.30pm reserves, Ref-S Willis assisted by T Manea and T Tuakana, 5pm premiers, Ref-N Tou assisted by T Manea and A Emile.