Eels share points

For the second week in a row, the Avatiu Eels have drawn their premier grade match in the rugby league competition.

The Eels and the Bears scored 16 points apiece in their premier division clash at Arorangi on the weekend, meaning the teams will have to share the points for the match.

The result comes one week after the Eels experienced another draw against the Tupapa Panthers at their home ground.

In the rounds’ other matches, both played on Friday afternoon, the Titikaveka Bulldogs beat the Takuvaine Warriors in a tight match at the Happy Valley Stadium.

Just six points was in it when the match ended, the Bulldogs outlasting the Warriors 26-20.

That match was tough and left the Warriors fans disappointed that their first home game of the season was not also their first win.

The Warriors played well against the Bulldogs, with their occasional slips of discipline matched by equal slips by the Bulldogs. Fans of both sides were left jeering and cheering at various stages in the game as they sought out penalties for indiscretions and then won them.

The two teams swapped penalties throughout the second half as various players were called offside, ruled to be tackling too high or for not releasing their players soon enough.

In Aitutaki, the Tupapa Panthers put in a flurry of try-scoring to come away with their match against the Aitutaki Sharks. The consensus in that match is that the final 38-22 score line does not truly reflect the competitiveness of the two teams.

Premier results: Tupapa Panthers 38, Aitutaki Sharks 22; Arorangi Bears 16, Avatiu Eels 16; Titikaveka Bulldogs 26, Takuvaine Warriors 20.