Club 15s competition back on

Club rugby union teams will return to full strength this weekend with the club 15s competition now heading into the business end of the season.

For the past two weeks, clubs have been playing out the final two weeks of the pre-season sevens tournament which wrapped up at the weekend with Tupapa crowned the 2011 club sevens champions.

This weekends CITC main match of the week will be between the in form Ngatangiia-Matavera Dragons and the threatening Tupapa Panthers.

The Dragons have had a dream run this season and after round 6 of the competition they were leading the senior A competition on the points table.

The Panthers on the other hand had a woeful start to the season, however they seem to have found their form since the Constitution Sevens and club sevens tournament.

The clash of the Dragons and Panthers is set to be an exciting one as the Dragons look to maintain their early lead while the Panthers will want to give their loyal supporters something to cheer about.

In other games this weekend the Avatiu Eels will host the Titikaveka Bulls and although the Eels look like the stronger team on paper the Bulls are known to upset big name teams so this match will also be another must see this weekend.

At the Takuvaine field the Reds will lock horns with the Arorangi Cowboys in what should be a physical encounter.

The more robust Cowboys will no doubt be preparing to bulldoze right through the Reds but with some of the speediest legs in the Red pack the team is more than capable of upsetting the Reds.

So get your club colours on and make sure you follow the boys and cheer them on when the club 15s competition kicks off again this weekend.

- Matariki Wilson

Friday, August 26, round 8 draw:

Avatiu Eels vs Titikaveka Bulls at Avatiu 4.15pm, Senior B, Ref: Arthur Emile, Assist. Ref: Tangi Toa / Kaukura Nia.

Saturday, August 27:

Avatiu Eels vs Titikaveka at Takuvaine 1pm, Under 13, Ref: Tavake Manuel, Assist. Ref: Club Official; 1.50pm, Under 16, Ref: Billy Tuaivi, Assist. Ref: Opura Emile / Tavake Manuel; 2.55pm, Under 19, Ref: Phillip Strickland, Assist. Ref: Tavake Manuel / Opura Emile; 4.10pm, Senior A, Ref: Simiona Teiotu, Assist. Ref: Phillip Strickland / Tutai Tuakana.

Takuvaine Reds vs Arorangi Cowboys at Avatiu 12.45pm, Under 13, Ref: Puru Samania, Assist. Ref: Club Official; 1.30pm, Under 16, Ref: Kaukura Nia, Assist. Ref: Puru Samania / Club Official; 2.40pm, Under 19, Ref: Vaivase Samania, Assist. Ref: Puru Samania / Kaukura Nia; 3.05pm, Senior B, Ref: Tutai Taurarii, Assist. Ref: Bishop Bishop / Kaukura Nia; 4.10pm, Senior A, Ref: Arthur Emile, Assist. Ref: Sean Willis / Bishop Bishop.

Tupapa Panthers vs Ngatangiia Dragons at Tupapa 1.50pm, Under 13, Ref: Paul Peyroux, Assist. Ref: Club Official; 3.05pm, Under 16, Ref: Poso Ngaroi, Assist. Ref: Paul Peyroux / Club Official; 4.10pm, Senior A, Ref: Tua Manea, Assist. Ref: Paul Peyroux / Poso Ngaroi.