League: Eels claim both junior finals after controversy

Charlie Tuimavaluga on the charge for the victorious Otumoetai Eels under-15s at Mitchell Park yesterday.PHOTO/ GEORGE NOVAK

The Otumoetai Eels claimed both finals contested on junior rugby league finals day at Mitchell Park yesterday following a touch of controversy in the under-11s.

The Tauranga Whalers were set to meet the Putauaki Stags in a repeat of last week's semifinal due to the other two semifinalists - Otumoetai and Te Puke - both being disqualified for fielding unregistered players.

Bunny Nicholas of the Eels said the Whalers had disagreed with the decision and informed organisers they would not contest the final.

The Stags were notified of the Whalers' intention, so chose not to travel to Mitchell Park for the day.

The Whalers then turned up to play and were informed the Stags were not going to be attending finals day.

The Stags were given the option of rescheduling the final, but instead opted to accept the trophy as they had been willing to play the final on the scheduled day.

The Otumoetai Eels under-13s claimed the day's first final with a hard-fought 34-22 win over the Papamoa Bulldogs, with the Eels running away with the under-15 final 60-18 over the Whakatane Razorbacks.