An exciting battle looms this afternoon in the final leg of round one of the Rarotonga League 13s competition, when the Titikaveka Bulldogs take on the Avatiu Nikao Eels at Victoria Park in Tupapa.

The resurgent Bulldogs are placed second on the points table with six points, having achieved three wins and one loss. This puts them one point above the defending champions, the Eels, who are in third place with five points from two wins, one draw and one loss.

The undefeated Panthers, who face the winless Takuvaine (TKV) Warriors tomorrow, lead the standings with seven points from three wins and a draw. The Arorangi Bears, who play the Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles tomorrow, are in fourth place with four points from two wins and two losses. The Sea Eagles, with only one win, are in fifth place with two points, and the Warriors are at the bottom of the table without any points.

The match of the week will be between the Bulldogs and the Eels this afternoon, kicking off at 5pm.

Cook Islands Rugby League competition coordinator Franky Toa said they anticipate exciting clashes this weekend.

Toa said the Bulldogs versus the Eels match “will be one to watch out for”.

“With one more game to go to finish off round one, the Panthers sit at the top followed by the much-improved Bulldogs and our defending champs on five points,” Toa said.

“Round 2 will ultimately see much more fierce matches as the teams vie for a place in the top four placings.”

Eels coach Clive Nicholas said they were bracing for a tough clash against the Bulldogs.

“Every game is crucial but technically nothing really matters in the first round, it’s what happens in the second round that really matters,” Nicholas said.

“I’m expecting a huge turnout from Titikaveka fans and supporters. They’ve brought back some old heads like former national 7s reps Sai Nagi and Longo Leuta, who gonna be a handful for us to contain, and that’s only two of them … so yes, gonna be a good one and tough one!”

The Eels lost to the Bears in a close encounter in week three and drew with the Panthers last week. They won against the Warriors and the Sea Eagles in their first two matches.

The Bulldogs, coached by Mark Tuaati, have proven to be a force to be reckoned with this season. The side has only lost once, to the Panthers, and defeated the Bears, Warriors and the Sea Eagles in their earlier matches.

“Every game is crucial and Avatiu is a physical and experienced team,” the Bulldogs management said.

“Round 1 has been a good stepping stone off the back of last year’s rebuilding phase for our club. We just want to set the platform for our prems and focus on the future and bring back junior development. That’s the dream.”