Knockout time in semi-final rugby

This week is ‘knockout week’ in the CITC Rarotonga Club Rugby competition with only the winners of each grade progressing to next week’s grand finals of the 2012 season.

All the weekend rugby action will be at the BCI Stadium where games will kick off on Saturday 11.30am with the under 13 knockout match between the raging Arorangi Cowboys and the fast improving Ngatangiia Dragons.

The under 13 clash will be followed by the under 16 match to be played between the Cowboys and the Tupapa Panthers.

The Panthers will take to the field again in the under 19 division and will face the ever imposing Titikaveka Bulls.

There are sure to be loads of thrills and spills in the senior B knock out match between the Dragons and Panthers – a grade which combines the top players of old and the rising stars of tomorrow making for dynamic games.

In the main senior A grade match – the Dragons and Avatiu Eels will go head to head in the do or die match.

Neither side will want to hang their boots up after the match and in the case of the Dragons – a grand finals spot will be the reward they seek after an impressive season and the overall champion title will be the cherry on the cake.

For the Eels, its familiar territory for the boys from the Swamp and composure will be key for the side that has had a mixed season but managed to get the train back on track for a grand finals spot.

A winner must be found in each of the grades so in the event of a draw, the teams will have to play ‘golden point’ extra time until a winner is determined.

Meanwhile before the do or die matches on Saturday – women rugby players will take to the BCI Stadium field today at 5pm for the next round of the inter vaka women’s 10s rugby.

Today’s match will be between Vaka Te Au O Tonga and Vaka Puaikura.

All women’s matches to date have been tough encounters and the last time these two women’s teams met – Te Au O Tonga were convincing winners 19-5.

This year the overall standard of women’s rugby in all facets of the game has made giant strides – the runs, the tackles, the rugby smarts on display by the women have definitely been impressive.

Players to watch in the Te Au O Tonga side are rookie national sevens representative Marisa Iroa supported by pivot Jules Westrupp and hardworking forward Edith Nicholas.

Players to watch from Puaikura are national sevens representative speedster Samantha Lockington, skilful forward Awhitia Pepe and also ex-NZ touch rugby representatives Vicky Fortes and Marion Heather.

Full knockout semi final draw on page 10