Passionate lower grade grand finals

While the highlight of the rugby league grand finals was the premier grade clash between the Eels and the Panthers – it was the junior grades that really created that ‘grand finals’ atmosphere.

First up at the grand finals was the baby Panthers versus the Baby Bears.

The Bears looked liked they would take the game but the Panthers lifted their game in the second half to run rings around their opponents and win 42-10.

But the Bears were just too classy in the under 16 grand finals against the Panthers – winning 22-4.

The under 19 clash between the Eels and Panthers was a passionate one.

The Eels, knowing that they would have to lay a winning foundation for their brothers in the premier grade, stepped up to edge out the Panthers 16-10.

These under 19 players are the future of rugby league and many will no doubt be in the running for the national side come the world cup in 2013 which the Cook Islands have qualified for.

The reserve grade finals was all claws and teeth as the Bears mauled the Bulldogs to win the reserve grade grand finals for the seventh year running.

In fact, many of the Bears players sported new hairdos for the occasion with the number 7 shaved into the side of their heads.

They won over the Bulldogs 24-10.

It was certainly a grand end to what has been a turbulent season of league with natural disasters putting a spanner into the running of the season.

Finals results – under 13 Tupapa Panthers 42 vs Arorangi Bears 10, under 16 Arorangi Bears 22 vs Tupapa Panthers 4, under 19 Avatiu Eels 16 vs Tupapa Panthers 10, Reserves Arorangi Bears 24 vs Titikaveka Bulldogs 10, Premier-Avatiu Eels 28 vs Tupapa Panthers 16