Eels survive the Dragons

The Avatiu Eels survived the Ngatangiia Dragons on Saturday to book their spot in next weekend’s season grand final against defending champions the Tupapa Panthers.

The Eels’ 13-11 win over the Dragons was a hard fought victory in a match that had supporters on both sides on the edge of their seats.

The game ended with the Eels missing a penalty goal right on the fulltime hooter followed by an unsuccessful last-gasp Dragons counter attack from their own goal line.

The tough match could have gone either way as the fourth placed Eels finally defeated the first placed Dragons for the first time this season.

The return of Terry Piri at first five-eight gave the Eels plenty of variation, vision, decision and experience from the crucial pivotal position resulting in this late season resurgence by the Eels.

Although the Eels now have a very strong 22-man squad it seems they have yet to collectively bring all this talent together with the Eels missing three dropped goals at the very start of the match and four penalties.

The Dragons tried valiantly but with injuries to key personnel including inspirational captain and number 8 Willie Kauvai Jnr in the first half, the side lacked their normal persistent ‘go forward’ with the Dragons fleet-footed backs suffering as a consequence.

However, in the first half from a scrum, the Dragons backs were able to work their magic and score a neat team try by their speedy winger Alan Toa.

At halftime the scores were 8-all and the game was anybody’s.

One of the strengths of the Eels team is their reserves bench of predominantly young and energetic players who brought a dynamic mix to the game and provided the legs for the Eels in the last quarter of the game.

Bests for the Dragons were ‘never-say-die’ hooker Johnny Mokotupu, mobile lock Des Wildin, winger Juda Loki, who was electric in the first half, and all three Toa brothers Alan, Thomas and Daniel.

Best for the Eels – solid halfback Teararoa Bishop, busy loose forwards Clive Nicholas and Mark Charlie along with impressive utility back Matthew Pierre and the ever-improving tight-head prop Sam Pera – the standouts.

In other grade games, the Cowboys under 13 team head to the grand finals next week against the monster baby Eels after defeating the gutsy Dragons 24-nil.

In the Polynesian Bike Hire under 16 knockout semi final – the Cowboys edged out the Panthers 22-19 in a close match with a last minute try by Cowboys winger Nicky Maui securing the win for the Cowboys.

Another tough battle was seen in the Polynesian Rental Cars under 19 match between the Titikaveka Bulls and Panthers with the boys in blue from Titikaveka led by Fortes William managing to win the match 15-10 to head to next week’s grand final against the Arorangi Cowboys.

In the CITC senior B grade – a try after the hooter by the Panthers won them the game 8-3 against the Dragons to head to the grand finals to face the Avatiu Eels.

Dates and times for grand finals weekend will be published throughout the week along with lead up previews of each grade in the CITC 2012 club rugby grand finals.