The Avatiu Eels league club is $2000 richer after holding off the Tupapa Panthers in Saturday’s ‘wet and wild’ minor premiership clash at Avatiu to win the cash and title 12-8.

The game got off to a slow start in light rain conditions as both teams kept the risk taking and mistakes to a minimum.

But it was the Panthers who made the first error to give the Eels first points through a penalty kick.

The 2 points did wonders to fire up the Eels who started to move the ball a lot more and when the Panthers missed a catch, the slipperiest Eel Clive Nicholas slid in to recover the ball and make a slithering dash for the try line from half way.

Even though he was chased down by a Panthers defender, the wet conditions plus the momentum of the run-chase saw Nicholas slide across the line for what fans thought was a brilliant try.

But the ref had other ideas as he denied Nicholas his try claiming a double movement.

The Eels were certainly not happy with the call and the Panthers capitalised on the Eels’ frustration forcing two penalties out of them.

However, the Panthers could only make one count to bring the scores to a 2-all draw.

The scores remained at 2-all at the half time break at which point the heavens opened up and the light deteriorated.

As the swamp really lived up to its name, the Eels looked to be in their element as they scored two quick tries in the second half through winger Duane Gukisuva to propel the Eels into the lead 12-2.

But as the Eels relaxed on the field, the Panthers pounced.

The Panthers were able to capitalise on an Eels fumble and through sheer desperation the team came up with the try of the match.

Panthers stalwart Rua Ngametua didn’t waste any time waiting for the ref to make a decision on an Eels lost ball as he collected the ball and dashed across the muddy field towards the try line.

The Eels were caught napping and when they realised the ref had called the play on, there was a mad scramble after the runaway Panther.

And as Eels tacklers brought down Ngametua, he quickly offloaded to young Caleb Tatuava who was in the clear for a muddy slide across the try line.

The converted try brought the scores to 12-8 with just 20 minutes to play.

What happened on the field in that final 20 minutes of the game is anyone’s guess as the dark closed in and the rain persisted.

The Eels put up a massive defence to keep the Panthers from scoring a try and on a number of occasions the Panthers came very close to scoring an equaliser try, but it wasn’t to be.

When the hooter finally went off, Eels fans ripped into rain dances.

But the Panthers won’t be too bothered about the loss as they will face the Eels again this week in the playoffs.

The Sea Eagles and Bears clash ended in a 20-all draw at the weekend leaving the top four positions unchanged.

They will also play against each other in the 3 and 4 playoff this Friday.