7s sides bolstered by import players

Momentum is building towards the annual Cook Islands International Sevens in Heaven in early November.

Clubs are shuffling their players and bringing in import players early for better preparations leading up to the annual sevens tournament.

At this stage the Dragons are looking to be building their team nicely as they are strengthened by the arrival of two import players in North Harbour sevens reps Jordan Larson and William Murray.

Both backline and utility players have decided to arrive earlier than usual just to acclimatise to the local conditions and hopefully work in combinations with the local boys.

The speedy Larson was a standout player for the Dragons at the 2010 Cook Islands International sevens tournament.

In a surprise result the Dragons easily disposed of the Eels by 27-5 in pool play the Eels weakened by the absence of national sevens reps Duane Gukisuva and Sailosi Nagi as both players are away on international duty at the Oceania Sevens Qualifier in Samoa.

The Panthers led by their hard-working forwards Francis Smith and Tariu Tairea laid the foundation for some impressive wins they too showcasing one of their imports wing centre Aripa Ohia.

Outstanding performance also by the Cowboys speedster Jag Love the 16-year-old Tereora College student scoring a total of 6 tries at the weekend.

This weeks games will be quarters, semis and finals and all games will be played at the Avatiu field starting at 2pm.

Full results Eels 14 vs Cowboys 12, Dragons 36 vs Police 0, Panthers 22 vs Reds 0, Atiu 7 vs Bulls 29, Eels 5 vs Dragons 27, Cowboys 24 vs Police 12, Panthers 26 vs Atiu 17, Reds 14 vs Bulls 12, Eels 28 vs Police 0, Cowboys 10 vs Dragons 32, Panthers 24 vs Bulls 10, Atiu 14 vs Reds 19.