Easy win for Eels, Panthers still unbeaten

Avatiu Nikao Eels had a walk in the park against Ngatangiia/Matavera Dragons in round nine of the Rarotonga Club 15s competition at home over the weekend. The Eels won the clash through default after Dragons failed to put a team together for the battle on Saturday. Only few Dragons players turned up for the match, forcing the team officials to withdraw from the game and giving the Eels an easy win. However, the Eels squad did not let their preparation go in vain after playing a practice match between at The Swamp. In the Bond Store match of the week, pre-match favourites the Tupapa Panthers had to work hard for their 19-15 victory as the Titikaveka Bulls threatened to spring a surprise at home. The Panthers started the game on fire, scoring a converted try to their busy loose forward Filipo Schmidt after only two minutes of play. However, after scoring that early try, the Panthers machine seemed to go into cruise mode, allowing the Bulls back into the game. However, the visitors managed to hold on to their slender 7-0 lead at the break. Although the Panthers were dominant at scrum and lineouts, the Bulls were very competitive at the contact area and counter-attack from broken play with the wind at their back in the second spell. The timely arrival of replacements, halfback Othneil Joseph and utility player Teina Savage, who started at flanker then finished the match at centre, helped guide the Panthers home. The Bulls started to build momentum and self-belief later in the second half, but ran out of time as the Panthers edged away with the 19-15 win. The best players for the Bulls were strong-running centre Longo Leuta, loose forward Timo Tangirere and lock Pastor Zekaria. For the Panthers, fullback Rangi Piri, first five eighth Jamien Iroa and lock Oki Naea were impressive. Meanwhile at the Arorangi Field, Takuvaine Reds defeated Arorangi Cowboys 16-13 in another intense encounter. Best players for the Cowboys were hooker Frances Smith, inside centre Patella Tou and his midfield partner Noa Taio. For the Reds, their “Mitiaro brigade” of national team hooker Matt Mullany, lock Christian Hosking and number eight Travel Tou stood out. The Reds led 10-6 at the break. - Rashneel Kumar Result Tupapa Panthers: 19 (Tries: Filipo Schmidt, Kave Mocedike and Seruvi Ralulu Snr, Conv: Jamien Iroa and Othneil Joseph) Titkaveka Bulls: 15 (Tries: Napo Taukei and Jedric Engu, Conv: Bill Tangapiri, Pen: Bill Tangapiri)