Takuvaine upset the Bulls

Reds 20 vs Bulls 13

Cowboys 28 vs Dragons 6

Eels 22 vs Panthers 18

Twentieth minute replacement right-winger Levi Tuteru turned out to be just the player that the Takuvaine Reds needed to beat the Titikaveka Bulls 20-13 on Saturday at their Happy Valley home ground.

The burly pony-tailed Tuteru added impact from the bench, testing the opposition every time he ran to score a good wingers try and also playing a key role in the late second half try by impressive centre Teina Savage.

In a tight match the Reds went into the halftime break 5-0 in front as they scored a try to their solid inside centre ‘Lolo Lui’ Moemai after he spot tackled his opposite number, scooped up the ball and then scampered 40m to the try line.

As the game progressed, the Reds pack started to dominate at set piece time as the normally strong Bulls pack seemed to wilt under pressure.

The Bulls backs lacked cohesion as they seemed to be missing key players fullback Bill Tangapiri and pivot Teariki ‘Tricky’ Tou – both players did not play due to injuries.

Best for the Bulls were their veteran lock Robert Matapo who soldiered on for the full 80 minutes and utility back John Rea who was at his damaging best on the counter attack.

Best for the Reds were their much improved forward pack, complimented by enterprising outside backs Tuteru and Savage.

Congratulations also to the members of the Reds club for the up keep of their venue, the new fencing, the nice clean green look of their rugby grounds were a treat for spectators as the club look to re establish themselves as a rugby force.

In other senior A grade games at the weekend, the Arorangi Cowboys were comprehensive 28-6 winners over the Dragons with the Cowboys 21-year-old winger ‘Tokyo’ Aniterea crossing the line for two tries.

At the Tupapa Park the Panthers looked set to pull off the surprise win of the season only to be over taken in the final quarter by the fast finishing Eels who slipped in to win 22-18.