Excitement in age grade rugby

There was plenty of action in the string of age grade rugby semi-finals on Saturday at the BCI Stadium where exciting games got supporters into rugby semi-finals mode.

In the Palace Takeaways under 14 clash – competition leaders the Avatiu Eels comfortably secured their grand finals sport after a 29-15 victory over the Ngatangiia-Matavera Dragons.

Dragons first 5/8 Zac Cargill and centre Jorvana Pepe were the standouts for the Takitumu side while big Eels number 8 Mitaera Raita and centre Joshua Motu were team leaders.

The Eels will now meet the Arorangi Cowboys in this weekend’s under 14 finals.

The Captain Tama under 16 grade semi-final between Tupapa panthers and Avatiu Eels was one of the most exciting games of the day with the Panthers winning over the Eels 21-19.

Late in the match an unlucky Eels missed goal kicking penalty opportunity saw the Panthers scrape in to win the match by 21-19 and secure their spot to play in the week’s finals against the Cowboys.

Best for the Eels were centre Braydon Kavana and Number 8 Strickland Tangimetua and for the Panthers – 2nd 5/8 Aitu Newbigging, who scored a brace of tries and fullback Tyronne Marurai were stand outs.

The Eels had a comfortable 22-15 semi-final win against the Reds in the Ocean Fresh under 19 grade semi-finals.

At one stage the Eels led by 22-0 before a spirited Reds challenge saw them score 15 points in the final quarter of this match.

Best for the Eels were captain and number 8 Stanley Tobia – who went off injured later in this match – and also his busy loose forward partner Tamanui Nicholas.

Best for the Reds were inside centre Twin Tiro along with captain and prop Vaike Potoru, who was inspirational with his strong running and ‘lead from the front’ leadership style.

This weekend the Eels will meet the Cowboys in the under 19 finals.