Bulldogs maul the Panthers

The Titikaveka Bulldogs league club will still be celebrating their fantastic 26-24 win over the Tupapa Panthers last Friday.

The Bulldogs win would have helped them shrug off the underdog status that seems to stick to the club during the league season and help boost the side’s confidence at this early stage of the season.

Played at Victoria Park in Tupapa with strong and vocal Bulldogs supporters cheering their boys on, it was a closely fought match.

With the scores at 14-12 in favour of the Panthers, the Bulldogs dug deep in the second half to produce some outstanding defence.

Both sides traded tries until the Bulldogs got the edge in the last minute of the game to take the win 26-24.

In other premier grade league games at the weekend, the Arorangi Bears had a huge 32-4 win over the Sharks at Vaipae field while the Sea Eagles almost took out the Eels but playing at the Swamp always gives the Eels the edge, so they managed to keep the ever improving Sea Eagles at bay to win 26-22.

Looking ahead to this week’s games – the Bears best beware as the Bulldogs are on a high and may cause another upset.

Due to a wedding in the Arorangi village this coming weekend – the matches between the Bears and Bulldogs will be played on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Sharks will return to Rarotonga and head to Nukupure Park this Friday to play the Sea Eagles while the Sea Eagles junior grades will rumble with the Eels junior grades.

The Eels premier grade will take a break this week.

The Takuvaine Warriors will host the Panthers this week.

Week five full results – Panther vs Bulldogs (Panthers scores first) under 16 grade 12-22, under 19 grade 22-16, reserve grade 20-28, premier grade 24-26, Aitutaki Sharks 4 vs Arorangi Bears 32, under 13 Bears 10 vs Tupapa 12, Warriors vs Bears (Warriors scores first) under 16 grade 14-all, under 19 grade 0-16, reserves grade 16-26, Eels vs Sea Eagles (Eels scores first) under 13 grade 12-16, under 16 grade 22-18, under 19 grade 44-6, reserves grade 18-30, premiers grade 26-22.