The NgatangiiA Sea Eagles will host the Aitutaki Sharks on Friday as the kick off for this weekend’s rugby league premier division clashes.

There’s plenty at stake for the Eagles and the Sharks in this game as both clubs try to move out of the lower end of the table.

Both are still in contention for fourth spot on the ladder and a place in the 2012 finals series.

Just one point separates the Eagles and the Sharks, who sit at seven points and six points respectively, and both are beginning to trail the Arorangi Bears, who currently hold fourth spot on the ladder with 10 points to their names.

This week, the Bears will face the rampaging Titikaveka Bulldogs at Raemaru Park on Saturday.

The Bulldogs are bringing some solid form into the match and will be looking to continue their winning ways and challenge the Tupapa Panthers for the top of the table.

The Dogs last week beat a brave Takuvaine Warriors, who this week play the stalling Avatiu Eels at the Happy Valley Stadium.

The Eels are aiming to break out from a two-match slump that saw them draw against the Panthers and the Bears consecutively.

They’ll get their chance to do so at 3.30pm on Saturday against the Warriors, who are still searching for their first win of the season.

Before that, there will be plenty of league action from the younger grades.

Today, the Eagles and the Bulldogs’ under 16 teams will play at Nukupure Park from 4pm with the reserves following at 5pm.

The next day the under 13 up-and-comers from Ngatangiia and Avatiu will play a curtain-raiser for the Eagles-Sharks premiers match on Friday, taking to the field at 4pm before the 5pm main match.

The under 16s and reserves Eels will also be in action on Friday, playing the Warriors at Happy Valley Stadium from 4pm. - EP

This week’s draw: Thursday, March 29 at Nukupure Park – Ngatangiia Sea Eagles v Titikaveka Bulldogs: 4pm - under 16s, refs: P. Mitchell with assistance from R. Mato and P. Ngaroi. 5pm – reserves, refs: T. Benioni with assistance from P. Ngaroi and J. Murray.

Friday, March 30 at Nukupure Park – Ngatangiia Sea Eagles v Avatiu Eels: 4pm – under 13s, refs: J. Murray with assistance from A. Nicholas and J. Brown.

Friday, March 30 at Nukupure Park – Ngatangiia Sea Eagles v Aitutaki Sharks: 5pm – premiers, refs: A. Emile with assistance from J. Murray and T. Benioni. Bench official: J. Brown.

Friday, March 30 at Happy Valley Stadium – Takuvaine Warriors v Avatiu Eels: 4pm – under 16s, refs: P. Ngaroi with assistance from P. Strickland and K. Kopu; 5pm – reserves, refs: M. Une with assistance from P. Ngaroi and K. Kopu.

Saturday, March 31 at Happy Valley Stadium – 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.