Week eight of the Cook Islands Rugby League Rarotonga 13s competition witnessed thrilling matchups and surprising turnarounds as teams battled it out at Raemaru Park in Arorangi.

In a highly anticipated clash, the Tupapa Panthers staged a remarkable comeback against table leaders, the Avatiu Nikao Eels, on Saturday. The Panthers, under the guidance of coach Dareen Piri, displayed resilience and strategic play, capitalising on every opportunity to breach the Eels’ defence line. Coach Piri emphasised the importance of concentration, “We need to concentrate on our game”, which proved effective as the Panthers secured a hard-fought victory. Full time scores were 30-22 in favour of the Panthers.

Conversely, the Avatiu Eels, despite their early dominance in the game, faltered due to numerous instances of poor ball handling, resulting in turnovers that the Panthers skilfully exploited.

Coach Clive Nicholas lamented, “numerous bad ball handling gave away possession”.

He further acknowledged their shortcomings, vowing to implement new strategies to bounce back in the upcoming matches. With their sights set on reclaiming the top spot on the table, the Eels are determined to rectify their mistakes and deliver stronger performances in the upcoming games.

In another electrifying matchup, the premier men’s defending champions Arorangi Bears squared off against the confident Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles. Playing on home ground, the Bears showcased formidable strength, buoyed by the support of their fervent fans.

Coach Bobby Hansen’s tactics forced the Sea Eagles to employ various strategies, but ultimately, the Bears emerged victorious by a narrow two point. Despite their valiant efforts, the Sea Eagles fell short, succumbing to defeat once again at the hands of their traditional rivals. Full time scores were 18-16 in favour of the Arorangi Bears.

The women’s game provided its own share of excitement as the Lady Bears displayed significant improvements in their gameplay against the Lady Bulldogs. Despite facing a formidable opponent, the Lady Bears demonstrated resilience and determination, signalling their emergence as strong contenders for the season title. Although they narrowly missed out on victory, the Lady Bulldogs secured a crucial 28-16 win, edging closer to the leaders, the Lady Panthers. The intense competition in the women’s league promises thrilling matchups in the weeks to come.

In the junior divisions, the Panthers asserted their dominance with a convincing 30-4 victory over the Sea Eagles in the Under 14 grade, while the Sea Eagles emerged triumphant against the Arorangi Bears in the Under 16 grade 30-10.

As the season progresses, anticipation builds for the upcoming matchups, with each team striving to secure vital victories and ascend in the league standings. With the unpredictable nature of rugby league, fans can expect more exhilarating moments and fierce competition in the weeks ahead.

Results

Premiers: Panthers 30 Eels 22, Bears 18 Sea eagles 16; Women: Lady Bulldogs 28 Lady bears 16; Juniors: Under 16: Sea Eagles 30 Bears 10, Under 14 Panthers 30 Sea Eagles 4.