Takitumu too strong

Vaka Takitumu women were crowned the women’s rugby 10s champions after defeating Vaka Te Au O Tonga 12-7.

With the scores locked at 7-all it was the express pace of Olympic sprinter Patricia Taea that secured the win for Takitumu.

The local sprint champion scored the match winning try in the second half and the Te Au O Tonga women had an opportunity to equal the score line but they squandered their second half chances through handling errors.

Teiti Tupuna and Marissa Iroa were the standout players for the Te Au O Tonga team.

The most valuable player of the season went to Puaikura’s Awhitia Pepe.

Meanwhile in the Senior B men’s grade – the Avatiu Eels edged out the Tupapa Panthers to win 13-9 and lift up the senior B championship trophy.

With the half time scores at 10-9, it was the boot of Eels first five-eight Tearoa Tini that got the boys from the swamp home amidst a typical strong Panthers finish.

Rangi Piri of the Panthers won the man of the match title while Sonny-Bill Foster of the Eels received the most valuable player of the season award.

- Ruck and Maul