Sides out for points

With just two more games in the 2010 CITC club rugby 15s competition left to play, things are expected to intensify as securing wins plus bonus points will be the aim for all teams.

The Avatiu Eels were able to re-establish their lead in the Senior A competition thanks mainly to the Arorangi Cowboys surprise 20-all draw last weekend against the Takuvaine Reds.

At that stage the Cowboys were the top dog but they are hanging into second place on the point’s table just one point behind leaders the Avatiu Eels who are on 26 points.

The Eels will want to secure their lead as they prepare to face the raging Reds from the valley this Saturday.

The Cowboys will no doubt unleash their might on the struggling Tupapa Panthers this Saturday as they know all too well the importance at staying on top.

One point divides the bottom four teams with the Titikaveka Bulls in third place with 18 points followed by the Ngatangiia Dragons on 17 points, Reds on 16 and the Panthers on 15 points.

And the next two games for these four will be all about survival.

Ngatangiia have been missing their number one play maker Pakia Wichman who is one of the islands best counter-attacking full backs and kickers.

The Panthers will need something close to a miracle to charge up from the bottom of the table and a huge defeat of the bulldozer that is the Arorangi Cowboys could see them rise up the ranks.

The most astonishing statistic of the points table is that of the Tupapa Panthers under 13 grade who have won all 8 of their games without a point score against them.

The team has amassed a total of 393 points this season – an average of 39 points a game!

For the full rugby points table for all grades – check out tomorrow’s CI News sports pages.