Eels and Dragons promise a thriller

This week’s main CITC club rugby match of the week in the senior A division promises to be an intense affair between the Ngatangiia-Matavera Dragons and the Avatiu Eels.

After round six, the Dragons lead the CITC senior A grade competition with 24 points, closely followed by the Eels in second place with 21 points.

When these two teams met in the first round – the Dragons won convincingly 40-22 and since then they have gone from strength to strength with each passing week. Although players and spectators have enjoyed a week’s break from 15-aside game, the Dragons will be full of confidence after winning last week’s CITC Constitution sevens tournament title after a week earlier running Cowboys off their feet with a 30-14 victory at Nukupure Park.

The Dragons hard working forward pack led by Willie Kauvai Jnr are now sticking to their game plan to provide quality go forward ball for their deadly backline led by the dangerous Dragons midfield pairing of Thomas Toa and Sailosi Nagi. This midfield combo has proven to be a handful for all their opposition this season and they will definitely lead the charge for the Dragons today.

So far this season the Eels have been inconsistent weekly performers.

In their last match against the Bulls, the Eels were actually losing by 11-27 going into the final quarter - when they finally woke up they ended up scoring 19 unanswered points to win by 30-27.

At times, the Eels can be their own worst enemies.

Hopefully the return of forward team leader Lui Nicholas, with support from his brother Clive Nicholas, and Mark Charlie, will be enough to spark this team into life for the full 80 minutes. The Eels on their home turf, in front of their passionate band of supporters, will want to erase the memory of their earlier first round loss to the Dragons when they run on to the field at Avatiu today.

See you at the Avatiu field today from 1pm to catch all the rugby action.

The senior A game kicks off at 4pm.

Eels senior A grade – Sam Pera, Boaza Atetu, Eddie Tomokino, Mark Charlie, Lui Nicholas, Pearse Numanga, Lee Ponini, Clive Nicholas, Tearoa Bishop, Terry Piri, Sirla Pera, Silafi Tovio, Duane Gukisuva, John Nicholas Jnr, Kunta Tom, Apii Rongo, Tumu Pittman, Ben Maaka, Maka Tereu.

Dragons senior A grade – Clinton Charlie, Johnny Mokotupu, Terii Aberahama, Tutu Tangimetua, Saulo Iotawa, Willie Kauvai Jnr, Laisa Ravalu, Sireli Maoate, Elia Tangimetua, Daniel Toa, Alan Toa, Thomas Toa, Sailosi Nagi, Koli Nasau, Juda Loki, George Fatafeli, Tereapii Monga, Oki Naea, Mura Herman.

In other games today – the Arorangi Cowboys will play host to the Takuvaine Reds from the Happy Valley while the Tupapa Panthers will head to Titikaveka to meet the Bulls.