Eagles fly to Shark grounds

The refreshed and rested Ngatangiia Sea Eagles premier rugby league grade will fly to Aitutaki this week to play the Aitutaki Sharks at Vaipae sports field.

The Sea Eagles will want a high scoring game against the Sharks as they currently sit in second place behind the Avatiu Eels – but only on point’s difference.

The Sharks will be no walkovers though, and can prove a handful on their own home soil in front of their vocal and staunch supporters.

But the Titikaveka Bulldogs and Arorangi Bears kick things off this week with the under 19 and reserve grades from the two clubs going head to head at Titikaveka today.

On Friday the under 16 grade will open up the day’s games and will be followed by what should be a thrilling game between the Titikaveka Bulldogs and Arorangi Bears premier grade.

The Bulldogs will want to capitalise on the fact the Bears will be missing their captain in Friday’s game.

The Bears on the other hand will be smarting from a huge defeat at the hands of the resurgent Tupapa Panthers and could well come out all guns blazing.

Saturday games will be at the Avatiu Swamp between the baby Eels and Sea Eagles as the Avatiu Eels premier grade take a break this week, and at the BCI Stadium between the Warriors and Panthers.

This is also expected to be another action packed game as the Panthers seem to have finally found their form while the Warriors are unpredictable, which can potentially spell danger for the Panthers.

- Matariki Wilson

Thursday 14 at Titikaveka Bulldogs vs Bears – 4.00pm Under 19, Ref-T.Tuakana assisted by J.Murray and P.Mitchell, 5.00pm Reserves, Ref-T.Manea assisted by J.Murray and P.Mitchell.

Friday 15 at Titikaveka Bulldogs vs Bears – 4.00pm Under 16, Ref-T.Manuel assisted by J.Whitta and T.Tuakana, 5.00pm Premiers, Ref-A.Emile assisted by J.Whitta and T.Tuakana, (sub official K.Kopu and T.Manuel).

Friday 15 in Aitutaki Sharks vs Sea Eagles – 5.00pm premier Sharks vs Sea Eagles, Ref-N.Tou assisted by P.Mitchell and T.Manea, (sub official J.Murray).

Saturday 16 at Avatiu Swamp Eels vs Sea Eagles – 12.30pm Under 13 Eels vs Panthers, Ref-B.Bishop assisted by club official, 1.30pm Under 13 Eagles vs Bears, Ref-P.Mitchell assisted by club official, 2.30pm Under 16, Ref-T.Benioni, assisted by B.Bishop and P.Mitchell, 3.30pm Under 19, Ref-T.Tuakana, assisted by T.Benioni and N.Takaiti, 4.30pm Reserves, Ref-N.Takaiti, assisted by T.Tuakana and J.Murray.

Saturday 16 at BCI Stadium Warriors vs Panthers – 1.00pm Under 16, Ref-P.Ngaroi assisted by T.Manuel and N.Tou, 2.00pm Under 19, Ref-A.Emile assisted by P.Ngaroi and M.Caffrey, 3.00pm Reserves, Ref-N.Tou assisted by T.Manuel and M.Caffrey, 4.30pm Premiers, Ref-T.Manea assisted by N.Tou and A.Emile, (sub official-K.Kopu and P.Ngaroi).