New champs crowned at League Nines in Paradise

Avatiu Nikao Eels and Lady Panthers were crowned the new champions of the League Nines in Paradise tournament held at the National Stadium in Nikao on Saturday.

In the men’s open competition, the Eels defeated Arorangi Bears I 8-6 in a closely contested final while Lady Panthers overcame Lady Bears 14-6 in the women’s final. In the U18 competition, Tupapa Panthers finished on top in best of the three matches against Arorangi Bears.

The annual tournament which serves as the preseason opener for the domestic 13s season had 11 teams across three categories competing – six open men’s, three open women’s and two under-18 men’s sides.

Results

Women Panthers 4 Bears 4, Men - A Bears 2 0 Bulldogs 28, Men - B Bears 1 11 Sea Eagles 9, U18 Panthers 25 Bears 4, Women Bulldogs 8 Bears 0, Men - A Panthers 10 Bulldogs 15, Men - B Eels 18 Sea Eagles 10. U18 Panthers 19-0 Bears, Women Bulldogs 8-17 Panthers, Men – A Panthers 30-4 Bears 2, Men – B Eels 16-8 Bears 1, Women Bulldogs 10-12 Bears 2, Men Bulldogs 8-11 Bears 1, Men Panthers 15-23 Eels, Men Bears 2 14-13 Sea Eagles, U18 Panthers 13-17 Bears (U18 Presentation: Overall Best Of 3 Matches: Panthers), Women’s Final – Panthers 14-6 Bears, Men’s Third Place – Bulldogs 19-7 Panthers, Men’s Final – Bears 1 6-8 Eels.