The Cook Islands Sports Academy students from Aitutaki and the Rakei Toa under 14 boys from Rarotonga arrived on Atiu on Tuesday October 12 to play rugby and league games against the Atiuan boys.

The last group to arrive was the academy boys from Rarotonga led by Kevin Iro and Lloyd Matapo who arrived on Wednesday morning.

The first day of the games was on Wednesday October 13 – a rugby sevens round robin competition.

Blessed with a fine day, a large crowd gathered at the Ukaveu Stadium to watch the formalities and the beginning of the game.

Speech by the Atiu Rugby League President Apii Porio acknowledged the support given by Kevin Iro in maintaining what was started last year on the island and at the same time he welcomed the academy boys from Aitutaki.

Iro, in his address, said that it was his wish to reach out to the young men and boys interested in sports in the outer islands to have that opportunity.

He is planning to move to the other islands in the southern group or even to the northern group, but the only obstacle is money.

He thanked the people of Atiu for hosting them again and this will only benefit the sporting people and the public on the island.

On the field some great games were seen with the Atiu Warriors holding their own against their visiting brothers.

In the junior grade the Young Atiu Warriors defeated Rakei Toa 36-0 in the finals while the Atiu Warriors went down to the Rarotonga Academy 20-5.

Atiu Young Warriors defeated the Rakei Toa Boys convincingly.

In the open division, the Aitutaki Academy lost to Rarotonga 28-5 and to the Atiu Warriors 28-5.

In the rugby league competition the Atiu Young Warriors team defeated Rakei Toa 36-0 with Atiu’s PK Edwards scoring 4 tries and converting over half of the 11 tries scored by the team.

The unlucky Rakei Toa Boys were far too young to take on the Young Warriors in this grade, but they all enjoyed the game and the brilliant Atiu sunshine.

In game two of the league competition – the Academy boys from Aitutaki and Rarotonga combined to take on the Atiu Warriors.

It was a tight match that saw the Academy edge out the Warriors 28-26.

The Atiu Warriors, a very strong competitor, put enormous pressure on the combined Academy from the kick off.

Supported by a slightly strong breeze behind their backs, the Academy team dominated the play and was rewarded with 4 first tries and converted only one in the first half.

Not to be deterred the Warriors scored 3 tries of their own and managed to convert 2.

Try of the day was that of 110kg Timau Mokoroa of the Warriors who ran 40 meters out from the Combined try line to score next to the upright.

He was cheered on all the way by the large crowd at the stadium.

At mid way the Warriors led the Academy team by 18 points to 16.

In the second half the combined team showed their aggressiveness and scored 3 unconverted tries to lead most of the half by 28 points to 18.

However, in the last 15 minutes the Warriors lifted their game and scored two more tries. One of them was right on full time, but the conversion failed to level the score, so the final score remained as 28-26 in favor of the combined Academy team.

This exciting day came to a close with a prayer by Puputa Rangatira aka Papa Puna Rau.