Sevens an action-packed starter

The 2011 CITC Rarotonga Club rugby seasons got off to a great start last weekend with the pre-season sevens tournament held at Raemaru Park in Arorangi.

It was a successful weekend with all grades from under 13, 16, 19 and the senior A from all clubs represented at the tournament.

In the under 13 grade, it was great to see the kids elevated to centre stage and kicking-off the new season.

Standout players of the first week of competition were Warren Ngamata of the Ngatangiia Dragons, Tuki Paitai and Sunai Joseph of the Tupapa Panthers, Fortes Anthony and Robert Graham Jnr of the Arorangi Cowboys while Tereinga Napa and Sonny Pureau Jnr were the standout players in the Titikaveka Bulls under 13 pack.

In the under 16 grade, the Cowboys and Eels look to be leaders with both teams registering 2 wins this weekend.

Players that impress in this grade were Dragons winger Travel Tuaputa, outside backs Michael Mouauri and Ford Henry of the Eels, halves Jac Love and Rory Ngaata of the Cowboys and Teariki Matenga Jnr of the Bulls.

The under 16 Eels, with the majority of their players being CISA students, were the fittest and a cut above the rest as they were ably led by pivot Stanley Tobia, Jonathon George and JJ Nicholas.

The Cowboys improved in their 2nd match defeating a likely Bulls outfit.

Players that impressed were Robert Heather Jnr of the Cowboys and the Ngaau brothers Mana and Clerk as well as Ben Daniels of the Bulls, Gideon Ama of the Panthers and big-forward Davey Mato from the Ngatangiia Dragons.

2010 Senior A champions the Eels suffered two close defeats and were obviously missing the goforward normally generated by the Nicholas brothers Lui and Clive who are both currently overseas.

On the other side both the Dragons and the Panthers got off to a good start with both teams registering 2 wins each and they now look to be the teams to beat in this grade.

Players that impressed were national sevens forward Sailosi Nagi and 16-year-old halfback Ngamata The Show Miriau of the Dragons, hard-working forward Eddie Herman and fleet-footed Conrad Piri of the Panthers and national sevens winger Duane Gukisuva from the Avatiu Eels club.

Overall it was a great weekend enjoyed by all including the match officials.

Meitaki maata also to the Arorangi Rugby Club for hosting last weekends games.

This weekend will mark the start of the Rugby 15s season with the Eels to host the Cowboys, Ngatangiia Dragons hosting the Takuvaine Reds and the Titikaveka Bulls will host the Tupapa Panthers.

Ruck and maul

Full results (under 13) Avatiu Eels 19 vs Titikaveka Bulls 10, Tupapa Panthers 34 vs Takuvaine Reds 0, Ngatangiia Dragons 0 Arorangi Cowboys 34, (under 16) Takuvaine Reds 5 vs Avatiu Eels 7, Titikaveka Bulls 0 vs Arorangi Cowboys 31, Tupapa Panthers 17 vs Ngatangiia Dragons 5, (under 19) Avatiu Eels 26 vs Arorangi Cowboys 0, Takuvaine Reds won by default against Ngatangiia Dragons, Titikaveka Bulls 15 vs Tupapa Panthers 0, (senior A) Avatiu Eels 12 vs Ngatangiia Dragons 19, Arorangi Cowboys 5 vs Tupapa Panthers 12, Takuvaine Reds 7 vs Titikaveka Bulls 12, (under 13) Avatiu Eels 7 vs Tupapa Panthers 19, Ngatangiia Dragons 5 vs Titikaveka Bulls 5, Arorangi Cowboys 22 vs Takuvaine Reds 7, (under 16) Titikaveka Bulls 0 vs Avatiu Eels 45, Takuvaine Reds 19 vs Tupapa Panthers 5, Arorangi Cowboys 17 vs Ngatangiia Dragons 12, (under 19) Avatiu Eels 19 vs Takuvaine Reds 0, Titikaveka Bulls 5 vs Arorangi Cowboys 19, Tupapa Panthers 37 vs Ngatangiia Dragons 7, (senior A) Arorangi Cowboys 10 vs Avatiu Eels 5, Nga Dragons 27 vs Takuvaine Reds 0, Tupapa Panthers 19 Titikaveka Bulls 0.