GRAND FINAL Results & comments
from Saturday 19/09/20 @ Arorangi Field
PANTHERS WIN EXTRA TIME THRILLER
SENIOR A Grade: TUPAPA Panthers 22 – 16 AVATIU Eels
With the scores locked at 16-all at fulltime the teams went into extra time (2x 10minutes) with the Panthers kicking themselves to a 22 – 16 victory.
This was one of the most exciting Finals ever and give credit to both teams for the quality of this intense final that kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.
The halftime score was locked at 8-all.
The Eels will count themselves unlucky not to win this match as they took the game to the Panthers, the Eels leading for the majority of this match.
Although the Eels struggled to win quality set piece scrum and lineout ball they made up in other areas, by running strongly in the pick & go and being aggressive in the contact area.
With the Eels direct and physical approach the normally lethal Panthers attack lacked fluency.
The Eels will rue the fact that in the 75th minute of the match and with the score at 16 – 11, the Eels were in a commanding position to close out this match.
However the never-say-die Panthers had other ideas and from out of nothing, they were able to score an incredible solo try to their right winger Peniasi “Flash” Dakuwaqa who scorched 50 metres to beat at least 5 defenders with pace, power and balance, on his way to the try line. This try bringing the score level at 16-all, with the pressure conversion to come.
Unfortunately for the Panthers the pressure conversion into the swirly wind missed, leaving the full time score at 16-all.
So both teams went into Extra time that resulted in the Panthers first 5/8 Viiga Ruepena successfully kicking two penalty goals in this extra time period for the Panthers to win (22-16) and retain the Championship trophy again for another year.
Best players for the Eels were their workaholic forwards Genesis Piri, Adyn Kapi, Josh Caffery, Li Ponini and first 5/8 Kelepi Komaisavou and midfielder Leki Hauvela.
And for the Panthers their best players were; forwards Davey Mato, Thomas Toa and first 5/8 Viiga Ruepena and fullback Junior Buresova.
The Vodafone Best & Fairest Player(s) were awarded to: Genesis Piri (Eels) and Davey Mato(Panthers).
TUPAPA Panthers: 22 Tries: Peniasi Dakuwaqa (2) Pen: Viiga Ruepena (4)
AVATIU Eels: 16 Tries: Lai Rogorogoivalu & Kelepi Komaisavou Pen: Kelepi Komaisavou (2)
U19 Grade: COUNTRY 32 – 17 TOWN
This was an exciting match with some excellent tries being scored especially the Town 80 metre counter-attack team effort that resulted in their opening try to midfielder Nathan Nabou.
Mid-way send half we have a drawn score line at 17-all and the momentum looks to have shifted in favour of the Town team.
However through good leadership of some of the experienced Country players, the Country team were able to pile-on 15 unanswered points during the latter stages of this exciting match.
A lot credit must go to the coaches of this young Town team, there work in building a competitive outfit with the majority of these players aged 16-17 years of age, so this bodes well for the future of this Grade.
Best players for Town were; forwards; Temaruata Tearitoa and Tupui Tuaivi, utility backs; Waqa Delaimoala, Joaquin Pantaleon, Nathan Nabou and Jireh Vunibaka.
Best players for Country were forwards; Rau Nga, Xavier Rauraa, Sianna Short, Armani Ama and backs Tom Daniel and Ben Sokia.
The halftime score was 10-all.
U19 COUNTRY: 32 Tries: Taio Taio, Xavier Rauraa, Thomas Daniel & Ben Tearii Conv: Armani Ama(3) Pen: Armani Ama (2)
U19 TOWN: 17 Tries: Nathan Nabou & Okirua Eliu Conv: Jireh Vunibaka (2) Pen: Jireh Vunibaka
U16 Grade: COUNTRY 22 – 7 TOWN
The Country had to adjust their plans early as they loss two of their leading players pretty much around the same time due to ankle injuries.
So they were able to adapt to these forced changes with other players stepping up to the plate.
The Country team were able to score two tries in each half to win by 22 – 7.
The Town tried hard and they did make some good line breaks however they were unable to finish these promising moves due to some good desperate Country defense.
Country led at halftime by 10 – nil.
Best players for the Town were; Nooti Peraua and Maka Maui.
Best players for the Country were; Henry Mataio, Abel Heather and Zac Tuaati.
U16 COUNTRY: 22 Tries: Mii Paia, Beau Daniel, Jessie Toa & Zac Tuaati Conv: Zac Tuaati
U16 TOW: 7 Try: Terry Akava Conv: Nooti Peraua
CIRU MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION: During this unprecedented time of uncertainty CIRU would like to say thank you to all our clubs – players, coaches & management, volunteers, referees, medics, sponsors, spectators, supporters and to the Arorangi Rugby Club as wonderful Finals hosts. Thank you all for allowing us to come together as a happy, healthy & safe community, meitaki ma’ata and God bless always.
GRAND FINAL Results & comments
from Saturday 19/09/20 @ Arorangi Field
PANTHERS WIN EXTRA TIME THRILLER
SENIOR A Grade: TUPAPA Panthers 22 – 16 AVATIU Eels
With the scores locked at 16-all at fulltime the teams went into extra time (2x 10minutes) with the Panthers kicking themselves to a 22 – 16 victory.
This was one of the most exciting Finals ever and give credit to both teams for the quality of this intense final that kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.
The halftime score was locked at 8-all.
The Eels will count themselves unlucky not to win this match as they took the game to the Panthers, the Eels leading for the majority of this match.
Although the Eels struggled to win quality set piece scrum and lineout ball they made up in other areas, by running strongly in the pick & go and being aggressive in the contact area.
With the Eels direct and physical approach the normally lethal Panthers attack lacked fluency.
The Eels will rue the fact that in the 75th minute of the match and with the score at 16 – 11, the Eels were in a commanding position to close out this match.
However the never-say-die Panthers had other ideas and from out of nothing, they were able to score an incredible solo try to their right winger Peniasi “Flash” Dakuwaqa who scorched 50 metres to beat at least 5 defenders with pace, power and balance, on his way to the try line. This try bringing the score level at 16-all, with the pressure conversion to come.
Unfortunately for the Panthers the pressure conversion into the swirly wind missed, leaving the full time score at 16-all.
So both teams went into Extra time that resulted in the Panthers first 5/8 Viiga Ruepena successfully kicking two penalty goals in this extra time period for the Panthers to win (22-16) and retain the Championship trophy again for another year.
Best players for the Eels were their workaholic forwards Genesis Piri, Adyn Kapi, Josh Caffery, Li Ponini and first 5/8 Kelepi Komaisavou and midfielder Leki Hauvela.
And for the Panthers their best players were; forwards Davey Mato, Thomas Toa and first 5/8 Viiga Ruepena and fullback Junior Buresova.
The Vodafone Best & Fairest Player(s) were awarded to: Genesis Piri (Eels) and Davey Mato(Panthers).
TUPAPA Panthers: 22 Tries: Peniasi Dakuwaqa (2) Pen: Viiga Ruepena (4)
AVATIU Eels: 16 Tries: Lai Rogorogoivalu & Kelepi Komaisavou Pen: Kelepi Komaisavou (2)
U19 Grade: COUNTRY 32 – 17 TOWN
This was an exciting match with some excellent tries being scored especially the Town 80 metre counter-attack team effort that resulted in their opening try to midfielder Nathan Nabou.
Mid-way send half we have a drawn score line at 17-all and the momentum looks to have shifted in favour of the Town team.
However through good leadership of some of the experienced Country players, the Country team were able to pile-on 15 unanswered points during the latter stages of this exciting match.
A lot credit must go to the coaches of this young Town team, there work in building a competitive outfit with the majority of these players aged 16-17 years of age, so this bodes well for the future of this Grade.
Best players for Town were; forwards; Temaruata Tearitoa and Tupui Tuaivi, utility backs; Waqa Delaimoala, Joaquin Pantaleon, Nathan Nabou and Jireh Vunibaka.
Best players for Country were forwards; Rau Nga, Xavier Rauraa, Sianna Short, Armani Ama and backs Tom Daniel and Ben Sokia.
The halftime score was 10-all.
U19 COUNTRY: 32 Tries: Taio Taio, Xavier Rauraa, Thomas Daniel & Ben Tearii Conv: Armani Ama(3) Pen: Armani Ama (2)
U19 TOWN: 17 Tries: Nathan Nabou & Okirua Eliu Conv: Jireh Vunibaka (2) Pen: Jireh Vunibaka
U16 Grade: COUNTRY 22 – 7 TOWN
The Country had to adjust their plans early as they loss two of their leading players pretty much around the same time due to ankle injuries.
So they were able to adapt to these forced changes with other players stepping up to the plate.
The Country team were able to score two tries in each half to win by 22 – 7.
The Town tried hard and they did make some good line breaks however they were unable to finish these promising moves due to some good desperate Country defense.
Country led at halftime by 10 – nil.
Best players for the Town were; Nooti Peraua and Maka Maui.
Best players for the Country were; Henry Mataio, Abel Heather and Zac Tuaati.
U16 COUNTRY: 22 Tries: Mii Paia, Beau Daniel, Jessie Toa & Zac Tuaati Conv: Zac Tuaati
U16 TOW: 7 Try: Terry Akava Conv: Nooti Peraua
CIRU MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION: During this unprecedented time of uncertainty CIRU would like to say thank you to all our clubs – players, coaches & management, volunteers, referees, medics, sponsors, spectators, supporters and to the Arorangi Rugby Club as wonderful Finals hosts. Thank you all for allowing us to come together as a happy, healthy & safe community, meitaki ma’ata and God bless always.