Bears vs Bulldogs will be hard fought

The Bears and the Bulldogs will put each other to the test today in the premier grade rugby league action.

Arorangi will host the clash at 4.30pm between second and fourth on the ladder, which promises to be a hard-fought match.

The Takuvaine Warriors and the Avatiu Eels will also play their premier grade match today, kicking off at 3pm at the Happy Valley grounds.

The clubs’ under 19 sides will play from 1.30pm in the lead-up to that match, with both hoping to lift their success rate in the grade and grab some much-needed points on the table.

Currently, the teams sit five points apart in the under 19s competition, with the Eels perhaps gaining a slight advantage over their city cousins.

The younger grades will play a busy day of rugby league ahead of the Bears’ premier grade match at Raemaru Park, too.

But rather than facing the Bulldogs, like the top side will, the Bear cubs will play the Tupapa Panthers’ junior sides from 12.30pm.

The reserve grade match will pit third against fourth from 3pm in a bout between two closely-matched teams. The Panthers and the Bears have won the same amount of matches this season, with the Panthers claiming a draw to add to their ladder total.

Before the reserve grade meets, the under 19 sides and the under 13 sides will have a crack at each other on the pitch.

Last night, the Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles were due to host the Aitutaki Sharks at Nukupure Park for their premier grade match.

The Tupapa Panthers are resting this week with the bye.

- Eric Parnis

Today’s draw: Saturday, March 31 at Happy Valley grounds – Takuvaine Warriors v Avatiu Eels: 1.30pm – under 19s, refs: P. Mitchell with assistance from P. Strickland and P. Ngaroi; 3pm – premiers, refs: T. Manea with assistance from P. Mitchell and M. Une. Bench official: K. Kopu.

Saturday, March 31 at Raemaru Park – Arorangi Bears v Tupapa Panthers: 12.30pm – under 13s, refs: J. Hosking with assistance from J. Brown and J. Murray; 1.30pm – under 19s, refs: T. Manuel with assistance from P. Strickland and J. Hosking; 3pm – reserves, refs: M. Une with T. George and T. Manuel.

Saturday, March 31 at Raemaru Park – Arorangi Bears v Titikaveka Bulldogs: 4.30pm – premiers, refs: S. Willis with assistance from A. Emile and T. Tuakana. Bench official: B. Bishop.