Two new teams will line up in todays CITC senior A grade grand finals to be played at the Ngatangiia field between the Ngatangiia-Matavera Dragons and the Tupapa Panthers.

In a Cinderella story the Panthers have qualified for this years finals after just scraping into 4th place then going on to knock out 2010 champions the Arorangi Cowboys 19-12.

In the other semi final last weekend, the Dragons, on the back of 3 Daniel Toa penalty goals scrapped home against the Eels to win 9-8.

Of the matches played in 2011 between these two teams, the Dragons have won both matches by 39-0 in round 1 and 21-9 in round 2.

Today is judgment day for the two teams and the outcome of todays match will obviously define their season.

Although the Dragons have won both matches against the Panthers this season the current Panthers pack has grown immensely since their last encounter with the Dragons as the Cowboys found out in last weekends semi finals.

With rugby now being a 22-man game, 15 players plus 7 reserves, the Panthers seem to have struck the right mix of a gun backline, competitive forwards especially at scrum and lineout time assisted by a very strong bench headed by Mau George and Lefou Jack.

The Dragons game is built around team fitness and they have definitely finished stronger than most teams all season thanks to the midfield brilliance of Sailosi Nagi and Thomas Toa. The expected midfield battle between the Dragons Nagi and Thomas and the Panthers combination of Darren Piri and Turori Matutu will be huge and will be critical to the success of their teams.

Both teams possess backlines with skill and pace to burn.

The forwards are similar competitive packs with quick constructive and destructive loose forward trios.

Could goal kickers Wallace Aroita of the Panthers or Daniel Toa of the Dragons decide the fate of todays game?

Predictions are that todays match will be decided by discipline.

This year discipline has been a problem for the Panthers and in the last Panthers and Dragons match, the sin-binning of a Panthers player for 10 minutes in the 2nd half led to the Dragons revival, the Dragons scoring 14-points during that 10-minute period. The Dragons eventually won 21-9 over the Panthers.

Senior A Tupapa Panthers: Trevor Arona, Tupou Faireka, Mata Arioka, Ben Tautu, Kana Nga, Eddie Tamarua, Aseli Manuqila, Kore Herman, Turori Matutu, Wallace Aroita, Sean Tamarua, Darren Piri, James Mata, Andrew Iroa, Conrad Piri, Mau George, Tua Ngametua, Mana Mokoroa.

Senior A Ngatangiia-Matavera Dragons : Clinton Charlie, Tereapii Monga, Tai Boaza, Po Daniel, Ronnie Kadarulevu, Maara Ioakopa, Phillip Hunter, Willie Kauvai Snr, Elia Tangimetua, Daniel Toa, Alan Toa, Thomas Toa, Sailosi Nagi, Usa Sivo, Aseli Maoate, Tutu Tangimetua.

In 1979 Ngatangiia defeated Tupapa to win the Champion of Champions Trophy.

It has been 32 long years since the Dragons have won any Senior A grade silverware could they create history today? Be at the Ngatangiia rugby field at 3.30pm to find out.

- Ruck and Maul

Saturday 24 September 2011 club rugby grand finals at the Ngatangiia field 12.00pm-Under 13, Tupapa Panthers vs Avatiu Eels, Ref-Tutai Tuararii assisted by Puru Samania and Poso Ngaroi, 12.50pm-Under 16, Ref-Tupapa Panthers vs Arorangi Cowboys, Ref-Phillip Strickland assisted by Bishop Bishop and Robert Graham, 2.00pm-Under 19, Avatiu Eels vs Arorangi Cowboys, Ref-Billy Tuaivi assisted by Sean Willis and Vaivase Samania, 3.30pm-Senior A Ngatangiia Dragons vs Tupapa Panthers, Ref-Johnny Hosking assisted by Tua Ngaputa and Simiona Teiotu

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