Baby Panthers maul Dragons

Wednesday’s under 16 Powerade Challenge rugby match between the Tupapa Panthers and Ngatangiia Dragons was a game of two very different halves.

The Panthers got on the board early in the game to lead 12-0 at the half time break.

They must have been given a real good talking to as the side went into over drive in the second half amassing 31 unanswered points to win the game 43-0 against the hapless Dragons.

With the strong wind advantage on their side in the second half, the Dragons must have felt that victory was within their grasp – but alas the feeling was short lived as the Panthers machine clicked into gear with the champion team scoring 5 second half tries.

The pick of the tries was a 90-metre ‘chip n re gather’ effort by classy first five-eighth Jamian Iroa.

Other Panthers tries came via Rhys Manu (2), Jamian Iroa scored a second try, Marouna Iroa, Eric Newbigging and Stubby Kamana.

The Panthers will be further strengthened by the return of promising loose forward Eric Newbigging (although he was played at fullback for this match) who has been absent for the past month in NZ.

CITC sales manager George George was on hand to present the most valuable player awards to busy open side flanker Harmon Mokotupu (Dragons) and to the strong running Panthers Number 8 John Vano.

The Panthers’ next challenge will be against the Arorangi Cowboys.