Dragons burn sluggish Eels

The Ngatangiia-Matavera Dragons didn’t muck around at the Swamp on Saturday when they turned up pumped and ready to take on their hosts in the CITC main match of the week.

The Dragons looked the better of the two sides from the very start in the low scoring affair and were deserved winners of the match by 11-8 as they put the heat on the Avatiu Eels.

The Dragons scored the first try via a scrum move, which was finished-off via a chip-kick subsequently collected by their lock Saulo Iotawa.

This try, together with two penalty goals kicked by Dragons first five-eighth Daniel Toa, took the half-time score to 11-3 in the Dragon’s favour.

The Eels sole first half points came via a long-range penalty goal kicked by loose forward Clive Nicholas, after the Eels’ two previous penalty attempts went astray.

A fired-up Eels side returned in the second half, and from a set lineout move they were able to score an unconverted try to lock Mark Charlie.

Although the Eels had sufficient possession and position they often unnecessarily gave away possession with aimless kicks which the Dragons then capitalised on.

It also seemed like the Eels used the match to blood in some of their talented under-19 players ahead of their experienced players who, when finally put on the field – fired up the side. But it was all too little too late for the Eels as the Dragons held on to their early lead to win the game and remain at the top of the Senior A grade table.

Standouts for the Dragons were their inside backs, brothers Daniel and Thomas Toa and also hooker Johnny Mokotupu and Sailosi Nagi.

For the Eels, the Pera brothers - Sirla on the wing and Sam at prop - were in fine form and so was 18-year-old J J Nicholas.

One of the standout moments of the game was when - through sheer skill and determination – the Dragons’ Thomas Toa held up weightlifter Sam Pera Jnr just inches from the try line and prevented a certain Eels’ try.

In other games at the weekend – the Arorangi Cowboys were convincing winners against the Takuvaine Reds by 19-3 in what was a bruising encounter led by the Cowboys powerful forward pack and complemented by the youngsters in the team - Andrew Purua, Basil Matapo and Robert Heather.

The Tupapa Panthers were merciless against the Bulls trouncing Titikaveka 33-14.

The Panthers were led by key players Turori Matutu and Kore Herman who were able to outrun the Bulls after the teams went into the half-time break at seven-all.

Bests for the Bulls were lock Ben Tautu, loose forward Save Cave and midfielder Tua Ofisa.

Rugby this week will kick off on Wednesday with the Powerade final under-16 challenge between current cup holders the Arorangi Cowboys and the Titikaveka Bulls.

At the weekend the Cowboys will face the Panthers in the game of the week while the Reds and Eels clash and the Dragons take on the Bulls.