Avatiu Nikao Eels have cemented their top spot in the Cook Islands Rugby Union Rarotonga Club 15s competition after a comprehensive win over Titikaveka Bulldogs yesterday afternoon.

The Clive Nicholas-coached side thumped the Bulldogs 50-8 at Aretere Park in Avatiu after leading 26-3 at the break.

In their first match in round one played on July 19, the Eels had a close 26-13 win, however the side managed to overpower the Bulldogs in the crucial round two clash yesterday.

In the feature premier men’s clash today, the Arorangi Bears will face defending champions Tupapa Panthers. In their round one clash, the Bears surprised everyone by defeating the Panthers 13-3. It was a tight contest, with the match being decided in the 76^th minute by a converted try from Bears’ loose forward, Geoff.

The Panthers, led by their captain and star goal kicker Daniel Toa, will be looking for revenge. Toa’s precision kicking and ability to control the game from first 5/8 make him a crucial player for the Panthers.

On the other hand, the Bears, known for their “go forward, die forward” mentality, will enter this match as the underdogs, especially after a tough couple of weeks.

But with Geoff leading their charge and a never-say-die attitude, they’ll be ready to put up a fierce fight.

Saturday will also feature a series of junior and women’s matches, starting with the U6/8 Rippa and U10s Tackle games at 12 noon. The U12s will battle at 1pm, followed by the Senior Women’s match at 2pm. The U14s will showcase their skills in Rugby 7s at 2:30pm, and the U16s will round out the junior games with a Rugby 10s match at 3pm. The premier men’s clash will kick off at 4pm.

With the semi-finals just around the corner, all teams will be looking to gain momentum and confidence from this weekend’s matches. Fans can expect high-energy performances, as players give their all to secure victories for their teams.