Crunch time

Hard hitting rugby league is on the cards today for fans as the season heads into crunch time.

This is the final round of games before the playoffs next week and at Titikaveka the club will host the Bears under 19 grade while the Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles will host the Avatiu Eels at Nukupure Park and the Takuvaine Warriors head to Victoria Park to rumble with the Panthers.

The Panthers are sure to do the damage against the Warriors this week after their narrow loss to the Bears last week.

However, they will face a buoyed Warriors team who won their first game of the season in Aitutaki against the Sharks and they are capable of upsetting the Panthers today if their put their mind to it.

But the battle of the day will be at Nukupure Park where the Eels will want a comfortable win over the Sea Eagles to maintain a second place on the points table.

The Sea Eagles on the other hand are out of contention for the top four spots but a win over the Eels today would certainly make their day.

Titikaveka Bulldogs vs Arorangi Bears at Titikaveka Stadium – 3.00pm-Under 19, Ref-T.Manuel assisted by B.Bishop and R.Mato.

Ngatangiia Sea Eagles vs Avatiu Eels at Nukupure Park – 12.00pm-Under 13 Eagles vs Panthers, Ref-R.Mato assisted by club officials, 1.00pm-Under 13 Eels vs Bears, Ref-J.Hosking assisted by club officials, 2.00pm-Under 16, Ref-P.Mitchell assisted by A.Nicholas and R.Mato, 3.00pm-Reserves, Ref-T.Manea assisted by J.Hosking and J.Whitta, 4.30pm –Premiers, Ref-S.Willis assisted by T.Manea and J.Whitta, (bench-J.Brown/P.Mitchell). Tupapa Panthers vs Takuvaine Warriors at Victoria Park – 12.30pm-Under 16, Ref-P.Ngaroi assisted by K.Kopu and P.Strickland, 1.30pm-Under 19, Ref-S.Teiotu assisted by K.Kopu and P.Strickland, 3.00pm-Premiers, Ref-A.Emile assisted by S.Teiotu and P.Ngaroi, (bench-K.Kopu).