NZ Bartercard Cup - Otahuhu
Ellerslie vs Eastern Tornadoes

One solitary game was played over the weekend in New Zealand's Bartercard Cup competition as the teams had a rest for the New Zealand A side and the Wellington U18 side to be ready to take on their respective NSW Country sides on Sunday.

BARTERCARD CUP - ROUND 12 RESULT

Saturday 3 July 2004

In very cold and slippery conditions the Eastern Tornadoes and Otahuhu Ellerslie sides took the field at Ericsson Stadium on Saturday evening as the curtain raiser for the Warriors/Eels NRL match. With Manu Vatuvei and Thomas Leuluai back in the Otahuhu Ellerslie side after being stood down from Warriors duties, the advantage was obvious from the start of the match. Both players stepped up and nominated in their positions with Leuluai steering his side superbly around the paddock, and Vatuvei showing the dynamic skills he possesses on attack and defence. A hat-trick of tries to Vatuvei and two to Jacob Yandall showed the dominance the side had as they ran in ten tries to one over an Eastern Tornadoes side that just had no answers on the day.

Malaleai Latu (pictured) scored the solitary Tornadoes try and put on a fine effort to bust over the line. Songi Tupou and Zebastian Luisi at the back of the pack worked hard throughout the game but the Otahuhu Ellerslie side were just too powerful.

The Bartercard Cup competition now heads back into Round 10 with Otahuhu Ellerslie hosting the North Harbour Tigers and the Eastern Tornadoes taking on Wellington at home.

Eastern Tornadoes vs Otahuhu Ellerslie Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Curtain Raiser To Warriors vs Eels)

Otahuhu Ellerslie 52 D. Fisi'iahi, J. Tavaga, T. Leuluai, G. Va'afuasaga, S. Tufaeo, T. Frost, J. Yandall (2), M. Vatuvei (3) : Tries R. Johnson (1), C. Wetini (3) : Goals

Eastern Tornadoes 6 M. Latu : Tries H. Rangi (1) : Goal

Halftime Score : 16 - 6 To Otahuhu Ellerslie

Following the Bartercard Cup game and before the Warriors/Eels clash, a bit of fun was had as a team of past greats of League, The Lion Red All-Stars, took on an Auckland Development side in a game of touch.

Legends of the code such as Clayton Friend, Shane Cooper and James Leuluai showed the crowd at Ericsson Stadium they had what it took in a good humoured match.

Round 10 Bartercard Cup fixtures:

Saturday 10 July 2004 Central Falcons vs Mt Albert Lions Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North 2.30pm Kick Off Marist Richmond Brothers vs Waicoa Bay Stallions Murray Halberg Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off Canterbury Bulls vs Hibiscus Coast Raiders Rugby League Park, Christchurch 6.00pm Kick Off

Sunday 11 July 2004 Otahuhu Ellerslie vs North Harbour Tigers Henham Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off Glenora Bears vs Counties Manukau Jetz Harold Moody Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off Eastern Tornadoes vs Wellington Ericsson No.2, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off