Bulls win closely fought match

In true semi-finals tradition it was a closely fought match between the Titikaveka Bulls and the Takuvaine Reds that could have gone either way on Saturday.

The Senior A Grade game (1st vs 2nd) was held at the Titikaveka field.

In the 76th minute of play, just when you thought the Bulls had run out of steam, they were able to conjure a nicely worked try off a deftly placed grubber kick into the in-goal by replacement first 5/8 Devon Mitchell, against the Bulls flying fullback Eli Bendini who was able to win the race to the ball and score the match-winning try – right in-front of his rowdy band of Bulls supporters.

In this closely-fought match the predicted Reds forward set piece dominance did not eventuate as the resilient Bulls forwards remained competitive throughout against their highly fancied opponents.

To stress the importance of having a realisable goal kicker–a total of 7 missed penalty goal-kicking opportunities were missed by both sides.

Best for the Reds were open-side flanker Teina Savage, strong-running centre Fou Samania and busy lock/flanker Mana Havi.

Best for the Bulls were their inspirational captain and prop Josh MacDonald who stepped up to the plate in the latter stages of the match, ball-carrying exponent Lloyd ‘Bacon’ Matapo and elusive utility back James Tofilau – who proved a handful in the midfield.

At half time the Bulls led by 6-3. The Bulls’ 11 points were racked up by Bendini’s try and penalties from Bill Tangapiri and Timo Tangirere. The Red’s Brian Toa scored three penalties.

Also at the Titikaveka field the Senior B Bulls won their match against the Arorangi Cowboys 10-9. It was better news for the Cowboys’ junior teams - the Under 19 Cowboys took down the Eels 15-10.

Under 16 Cowboys thrashed the Tupapa Panthers 12 nil and the Under 14 Cowboys won 22-15 against their Eels counterparts.

All the winners of these games will now progress straight to the grand finals on September 21, while the losing teams play this weekend against the winners of 3rd vs 4th.

At Avatiu field the Eels won a closely fought match against their spirited arch-rivals the Cowboys 17-7.

Good scrambling defence from either side prevented more tries from being scored.

Best for the Cowboys were first 5/8 Teariki Tou, busy Number 8 Logan Wichman and 160kg mobile prop Tu Potoru.

For the Eels it was a good team performance with try scoring winger Duane Gukisuva and fullback Peter Tare outstanding.

The Eels led 12-0 at half time. Two tries were scored by Eels’ Duane Gukisuva and one by Peter Tare. The Cowboys’ try by Shadow Tunui Varu was converted by Teariki Tou.

The Senior B Eels were ahead of their game this weekend, taking down the Reds 43-0, while the Under 19 Reds team devoured the Panthers in a 25-3 win, and the Under 16 Eels took on the Dragons for a 20-5 win.

This weekend’s rugby action will be at the BCI Stadium in Nikao on Saturday where the semi-finals will continue.

Semis draw: Under 12: All Clubs (Palace Takeaways), Under 14 Eels vs Dragons (Palace Takeaways), Under 16 Panthers vs Eels (Capt Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes), Under 19 Eels vs Reds (Ocean Fresh), Senior B Cowboys vs Eels (CITC), Senior A Reds vs Eels (CITC).