Takuvaine and Tupapa in opening clash today

2010 Lotto Premier Mens champions Tupapa Maraerenga are travelling to Takuvaine today to meet last years third placed Takuvaine side for their first match in the 2011 football season scheduled to kick off at 4pm.

Hosts Takuvaine will need to bring their A game against the Tupapa outfit knowing that four players from the Tupapa side have just returned from the Pacific Games football tournament held in New Caledonia.

Takuvaines Ronnie Sakai will no doubt keep his mid field area tight with the likes of Grover Harmon and Eugene Tatuava who can distribute the ball quickly to their forward players on the opposing team.

If Tupapa are to claim first points and their first win, a creative partnership of the team is vital from the defenders through to the mid fielders and strikers.

In the other matches that will played today, in the CIPs Image & Copy Centre senior womens competition, a young Tupapa side will come together to play opponents Takuvaine and will no doubt stamp their mark for a win in their first match scheduled to kick off at 2.30pm.

The under 14 girls teams will kick off the proceedings in Takuvaine at 1pm followed by the under 14 boys side.

At the swamp, Avatiu will host Arorangi for their first match of the 2011 football season.

Draw for Saturday September 17 and referee appointments (Avatiu vs Arorangi at the Avatiu field) 1.00pm-Under 14 Girls, Ref: Tupou Patia, Assistant refs: Mosman Baker and Tino Napa, 1.45pm-Under 14 Boys, Ref: Maara Kaukura, Assistant refs: Tino Napa and Mosman Baker, 2.30pm-Senior Women, Ref: Mike Mouauri, Assistant refs: Mosman Baker and Maara Kaukura, 4.00pm-Premier Men, Ref: Tupou Patia, Assistant refs: Maara Kaukura and Mike Mouauri, (Takuvaine vs Tupapa at the Takuvaine field) 1.00pm-Under 14 Girls, Ref: Terry Piri, Assistant refs: Ua Aberahama and Eric Katoa, 1.45pm-Under 14 Boys, Ref: Junior Arioka, Assistant refs: Michael Murare and Eric Katoa, 2.30pm-Senior Women, Ref: Robert Savage, Assistant refs: Michael Murare and Ua Aberahama, 4.00pm-Premier Men, Ref: John Pareanga, Assistant refs: Tino Napa and Junior Arioka.