Panthers book final date with Eels

The 2010 rugby league grand final this week is going to be a thriller between the Avatiu Eels and the Tupapa Panthers – who booked their final spot by thrashing the Arorangi Bears 42-12 in Saturday’s semi-final.

The Panthers premier league grade was just too classy for the Bears and after scoring 22 points just 20 minutes into the game, they never looked back.

While the Bears suffered a huge defeat, the team must be given credit for grinding it out and scoring two tries of their own to walk off the field with their dignity.

The question now is will the Panthers have enough in their creative tank for a repeat performance against the Eels on Saturday.

The Eels have had a week to really polish up their game plan. Facing the Panthers will definitely not be a walk around the swamp.

In other semi-final games at the weekend, the Bulldogs under 13 grade ripped up the Bears to seal their grand final spot against the Tupapa Panthers.

And the Panthers are also in the under 16 grand finals after beating the Eels 28-16 and the under 19 grade after the side dealt out another huge blow to the Bears 28-0.

The Panthers will meet the Bears in the under 16 finals and the Eels in the under 10 finals this week.

The reserve grade semi-final between the Bulldogs and Warriors was a gritty one on Friday night with the Bulldogs digging deep to edge out the Takuvaine Warriors 16-12.

The Bulldogs will face the Arorangi Bears in the reserve grade semi-final.

So with all clubs well represented in the finals, this weekend is going to be a massive showing of rugby league grand finals action.

Semi-finals results: Under 13-Titikaveka Bulldogs 18, Arorangi Bears 4; Reserves, Titikaveka Bulldogs 16, Takuvaine Warriors 12; Under 16, Tupapa Panthers 28, Avatiu Eels 16; Under 19, Arorangi Bears 0, Tupapa Panthers 28; Premiers, Arorangi Bears 12, Tupapa Panthers 42.