Aitutaki Sharks win first game

After failing to win a game in their inaugural season last year the Aitutaki Sharks dug deep to come from behind and beat the Ngatangiia Sea Eagles 22-20 at Muri on Friday.
President Ron Henry said “it's taken us 13 games to score our first win and the boys are relieved.
"It was getting a bit embarrassing returning to Aitutaki after our games in Rarotonga empty handed.”
“This win means a lot to us in so many ways as playing in the Rarotonga domestic competition has been a huge challenge to the few who are committed to seeing an Aitutaki team in a wider competition.”
With possible sponsors slow to respond the win could see a reversal of fortunes for the Sharks.
Team officials call upon all Aitutakians to show up and support the team, who play 2006 champions Avatiu next week.

Avatiu top of table

Some of the Avatiu Eels pose in their new playing strip before running on to the Victoria Park and giving the Tupapa Panthers a 42-20 lesson in rugby league.
One spectator at that game commented “this early in the season the Eels are making the competition look like a one horse race.”
Despite the unavailability of some of last year’s players, coach Albert Nicholas has his team fine tuned and focussed on retaining their championship crown.
The highly fancied Tupapa Panthers, with star players right across the field, had no answers for the well-oiled new looking Eels who have now won all their three games.
“The slippery when wet Eels” demonstrated they can be just as slippery under the hot dry sun.
The other result for the day saw the Titikaveka Bulldogs come behind from 6-20 with ten minutes to go against the Arorangi Bears to score three tries in five minutes to win by one point, 24-23.

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