The second round of the Cook Islands Rugby League domestic 13s competition kicked off to a flying start, with table-topping and unbeaten Tupapa Panthers extending their lead with a big win over the weekend.

On a thrilling Friday afternoon, the Titikaveka Bulldogs faced off against the mighty Arorangi Bears in a highly anticipated match, kicking off the second round of the Cook Islands Rugby League (CIRL) competition.

Both teams entered the Nukupure Park field in Ngatangiia with determination, showcasing their skills and game plans, which were as much about pride as they were about points.

In the first round of the season, the Bulldogs scraped by with a 22–20 win against the Bears, so both teams were geared up for their second meet.

This time around the Bears were hungry from the start and although the Bulldogs fought back valiantly in the second half, it just wasn’t enough. The Bears took the win 30–22.

In a post-match interview with CIRL, the Arorangi Bears captain Andrew Purua said: “We know we can do better but we’ll take the win, we’re building up and there’s evidence that we’re on the right track.”

Not taking any credit away from the Bulldogs, Purua said, “we knew the pressure was on in this game coming back and we expected it to be really tough and it was.”
He said the scoreboard may not reflect the arduous game, “but, it was hard work out there”.

Purua says there are many aspects to getting good results.

“So, we will work on what we need to and have faith that the process we have set up will get us there.”

Titikaveka Bulldogs co-captain Timothy Tangirere says every week has been a big one for them.

“Coming into the second round, we expected a big game against the Bears, and a more physical than other games because of their forward pack,” said Tangirere.

“In the end we started to pick up but we were a bit slow at the start and Arorangi had the upper hand - they were hungrier.”

Tangirere was proud of the boys who pushed right through to the end.

“I think we need more drive in the first half of the game,” he said.

On Saturday, defending champions Avatiu Nikao Eels defeated the Takuvaine Warriors 34–6. The winless Warriors put in a solid effort on the field, keeping their opponents’ score low

Table topping and unbeaten Tupapa Panthers thumped the Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles 49-8. The Sea Eagles just didn’t appear to have drive and focus in the first half.

Panthers captain Eric Newbigging said he was pretty happy with their performance.

“We worked on our game plan in round one at training but there are still things we need to work on like in defence. We want to keep the momentum going,” said Newbigging.

Sea Eagles captain Daniel Toa minced no words about his team’s disappointing performance.

“It was a really tough one for us, from the start not showing up … it’s always hard in the game when you’re trying to catch up, something we’ve been working on but haven’t yet executed,” Toa said.

“It was a terrible performance from our side. I think the brotherhood is not there – that trust in the guy that’s next to you, we just haven’t found that connection with each other yet, too many individual plays going on … it’s a team game.”

Although it wasn’t the result the Sea Eagles were after, Toa is looking forward to a good and better change in their next game.

The Player of the Week was awarded to Panthers’ “Little General” Mafu Kalas, who scored three tries, one try assist and kicked five conversions.

According to CIRL, Kalas was a leader who dominated against the Sea Eagles game – a play maker, focused goal kicker, defender and line breaker – an excellent player this week.

In the first round of the women’s match played in 9s format, the Lady Bears defeated the Lady Panthers 16-6.

Samantha Lockington from the west side of the island – an Arorangi Lady Bear workhorse – won the Women Player of the Match.

Lockington, a good ball runner who looks for work on defence, displayed an all-round solid work rate, and scored a try for the Lady Bears.

Saturday’s matches drew a good turnout including Prime Minister Mark Brown and several MPs - Vaitoti Tupa (emcee), Tukaka Ama and Sonny Williams, supporting their teams.

Results

Arorangi Bears 30 vs Titikaveka Bulldogs 22; Avatiu Eels 34 vs Takuvaine Warriors 6; Tupapa Maraerenga Panthers 48 vs the Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles 8; Women’s Exhibition Match – Lady Bears 16 vs Lady Panthers 6.