Eels deal to Sharks at Swamp

The Arorangi Bears, Avatiu Eels and Tupapa-Maraerenga Panthers all registered wins in the first round of the club rugby league competition.

The Bears were lucky not to be mauled in the doggy’s territory as they edged out the Bulldogs 26-24 in the premier grade match.

In fact, it was a clean sweep for the Bears in Titikaveka as the reserve grade managed to keep the Bulldogs at arm’s length to win 24-22 and the under 16 Bears had a try bonanza to win 36-0.

The under 19 grade match was a win by default to the Bears.

At the Avatiu swamp, the support for the Eels and Sharks/Warriors was at an all-time high as rugby league fans turned out in their numbers to support their team.

The Eels were true to their ‘slippery’ reputation as they managed to escape the Sharks’ jaws to sneak in for a 26-23 win.

The Aitutaki Sharks/Warriors were on fire and with international league coach Ina Konito on their side they are a force to be reckoned with.

However minor mistakes cost them what would have been a massive win over the Eels.

In the reserve grade, the in-form Takuvaine Warriors, in their new red uniforms, were just too strong for the Eels to win 22-16.

However the baby Eels in the under 19 grade had a field day, running rings around the Takuvaine boys to cruise to an easy 52-0 win.

At Victoria Park, the Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles offered some resistance against the home side but had to watch as the Tupapa-Maraerenga Panthers, crossed the line with ease to win 22-8.

But the Sea Eagles are not to be underestimated as we’ve seen this determined outfit cause upsets in the past and are perhaps just blowing off the cobwebs in their first outing.

In the reserve grade though, the Sea Eagles showed grit to outsmart the Panthers 12-10.

The baby Panthers were the standout players at Victoria Park with the under 19 grade winning 24-18 while the under 16 Panthers cruised home to a 32-0 win.

Round two of the competition will see the Bulldogs host the Sea Eagles this Thursday with the premier grade match to be played on Friday 12 February at 5pm.

The Tupapa-Maraerenga Panthers premier grade heads to Aitutaki to take on the Sharks with the match scheduled for 5pm on Friday.

Meanwhile the remaining Panthers teams will head to the Takuvaine valley to play the Warriors.

Raemaru Park will be the place to be on Saturday with the Arorangi Bears to host the Avatiu Eels.