Table toppers Tupapa Panthers suffered their first loss in the 2021 Rarotonga Club 15s competition against Arorangi Bears on Saturday.

In a surprise result in last week’s main match, the Bears toppled the previously unbeaten Panthers 21-15 at Raemaru Park in Arorangi.

The Panthers led at halftime by 8-3. Shortly after the second half started, the Panthers scored a converted try – this was created after a high-kick was left unattended and speedster Peniasi Dakuwaqa pounced on the opportunity to extend the visitor’s lead to 15-3. 

However in the final 20 minutes of this match, the Bears forward pack finally asserted their dominance and laid the platform and together with the cultured boot of Viiga Ruepena, they were able to pile-on 18 unanswered points to win this match by 21-15.

Best players for the Panthers were number eight Thomas Toa, hooker John Vano and halfback Savenaca “Junior” Buresova.

For the Bears although it was good team effort, the leadership via their lock Rob Heather and halfback/first five-eight Ruepena was evident.

In the other Senior A grade match, Avatiu Eels thumped Takuvaine Reds 54-12. The Reds kept the Eels honest for the majority of this match with the Eels going into the halftime break leading by 21-5. Then the Reds scored a converted try (21-12) to give them a sniff of victory.

However, the Eels went into over-drive scoring 34 points in the final quarter of this match to win by 54-12. 

In the Women’s 7s, the Bears proved too strong for the Takuvaine Reds, winning by 22-0. The Bears’ tries were scored by utility backs Rima Browne (2), Tui Heather and forward Elianna Nena. Multi-skilled Rima Browne kicked the only conversion.

In the U19s match, the Bears defeated the Eels by 37-12. The Bears’ tries were scored by their backs; Henry Mataio (3), Toru Mateariki, Taio Taio and forwards Vaipo Mataora and Troy Matutu, with a JJ Karika kicking two conversions and one penalty goal. The Eels’ tries were scored by Ryan Daniel and Nathan Nabou, with a conversion kicked by Ryan.

Takuvaine Reds, Avatiu Eels, Tupapa Panthers and hosts Arorangi Bears took part in the Quick Rip U9s and U11s  matches.

Results

Arorangi Bears: 21 (Tries: Clark Ngaau & Tupuna Nasilivatu. Conv: Viiga Ruepena. Pen: V Ruepena (3) Tupapa Panthers: 15 (Tries: Peniasi Dakuwaqa (2). Conv & Pen: Jojo Karati). Avatiu Eels: 54 (Tries: James Tofilau(2), John Peni(2), Ioane Moore, Samu Alafua, Josh Caffery & Tevita Niusoma   Conv: Teariki Matenga(7) Takuvaine Reds: 12 (Tries: Tomasi Bikaka & Jason Potoru. Conv: J Potoru).