The under 13 Arorangi Bears rugby league team will open up this week’s round of rugby league matches with a match against the Bulldogs this afternoon.

The under 13 grade has gone through some restructuring to give the limited number of under 13 grade teams more game time.

The first up under 13 match will be played at 4pm tomorrow at the Takuvaine sports field in the Happy valley.

Following this game will be the reserves grade match between the Bulldogs and Warriors.

This game is scheduled to kick off at 4.45pm.

This Friday the Titikaveka Bulldogs premier grade will head to Aitutaki to play the Aitutaki Sharks on their home ground.

This will be the first game hosted on Aitutaki this year and it sure to be an all island affair as Aitutakians will no doubt come out in force to cheer on their boys.

This game will kick off 5pm.

Meanwhile back on Rarotonga, the remaining Bulldogs grades will take on the Takuvaine Warriors in the Happy Valley.

The two main clashes this Saturday will be between the Arorangi Bears and Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles at Raemaru Park and the Avatiu Eels and Tupapa-Maraerenga Panthers at the Swamp.

All hosting teams are again reminded that it is your responsibility to provide the match balls and ball boys.

Last weekend the match between the Panthers and Bears was a stop-start affair as spectators rummaged to the taro patch looking for the match ball.

In some cases it took up to 6 minutes to retrieve the ball for the game to resume!

If you would like more clarification on your responsibility as the host club – contact Taua Benioni on 50893.

- Matariki Wilson

This week’s draw

Thursday February 25

Bulldogs vs Takuvaine at Takuvaine – 4pm-under 13 grade, Ref-Tutai Tuakana assisted by cub officials, 4.45pm-reserves grade, Ref-John Whitta assisted by Paul Allsworth and Tutai Tuakana.

Friday February 26

Bulldogs vs Sharks on Aitutaki – 5pm-premier grade, Ref-Pare Rongokea assisted by Arthur Emile and Peckham Maoate.

Bulldogs vs Warriors in Takuvaine – 4pm-under 16 grade, Ref-Koa Kopu assisted by club officials, 5pm-under 19 grade, Ref-Ratu Mato assisted by Nga Takaiti and Jeff Murray.

Saturday February 27

Bears vs Sea Eagles at Arorangi – 1pm-under 16 grade, Ref-Koa Kopu assited by club officials, 2pm-under 19 grade, Ref-Tutai Tuakana assisted by Koa Kopu and Ratu Mato, 3pm-reserve grade, Ref-Tua Manea assisted by Ratu Mato and Nga Takaiti, 4.30pm-premier grade, Ref-Ngavavia Tou assisted by Tua Manea and Nga Takaiti.

Eels vs Panthers at Avatiu – 1pm-under 13 grade, Ref-Bishop Bishop assisted by club officials, 1.40pm-under 16 grade, Ref-Terry Strickland assisted by Phillip Strickland and Bishop Bishop, 2.40pm-under 19 grade, Ref-Billy Bush assisted by Terry Strickland and Phillip Strickland, 3.40pm-reserve grade, Ref-Simi Teiotu assisted by Jeff Murray and George Maggie, 5pm-premier grade, Ref-Sean Willis assisted by Billy Bush and Simi Teiotu.