The Rarotonga Netball Club competition is heading into the knockouts this week after an intense competition in the preliminary rounds.

Defending champions Titikaveka and last year’s runners up Avatiu are through to the semi-finals after finishing first and second respectively in the premier division.

Tupapa will play Arorangi this Saturday for a place in the semis. TKV premier side has also progressed to the semis.

In the reserves grade, Avatiu and Titikaveka have made it into the semis. The other teams through to the semis are Takuvaine and Avatiu in the open 2 grade, Avatiu and Ngatangiia Matavera in open 1, Avatiu and Tupapa in 15 and under, Arorangi and Avatiu in 12U and 10U, Arorangi and Ngatangiia Matavera in 8U and Ngatangiia Matavera and Titikaveka in 6U.

In the final round of matches played on Saturday, Avatiu defeated Tupapa 45-34 while the unbeaten Titikaveka overcame Arorangi 77-54 in the premier grade.

In the premier mixed match, Ngatangiia Matavera beat Takuvaine 42-32.

Netball Cook Islands secretary Tekura Moekaa said: “Titikaveka proved too strong for Arorangi and scored a whopping 77 goals!”

“In the age groups, Arorangi dominated against Titikaveka and also on the points table. 

“The reserves grade for Tupapa, Avatiu and Nga/Mat are promising with most of the players having just played in the 15U grade last year. This is great for netball to see the development of players at a young age in the senior grades.”

Moekaa thanked the officials for officiating the weekly matches.

“Games would not be possible without our officials,” she said.

“Netball Cook Islands held an umpires refresher course facilitated by Autiare Luke leading into the knockouts, semis and finals on Thursday, July 7. This allowed for umpires of all clubs to come together, talk of issues (they) face during the rounds and to address them before the playoffs.”

The knockout and semis will be played at Ngatangiia/Matavera Courts.

Results

Titikaveka-Arorangi (Titikaveka score first) – Prem - 77-54 Res 48-43, Open 1 - 11-30, Open 2 - 17-25, 15U - 21-26, 12U 11-24, 10U - 2-13, 6U 4-6; Tupapa-Avatiu (Tupapa score first) – Prem 34-45 Res 35-45 Open 1 - 25-34, Open 2 - 37-22, 15U - 21-28, 12U 6-28 10U - 8-12, 8U 5-3, 6U 3-all; TKV-Nga/Mat (TKV score first) – Prem (Mixed) 32-42, Res 30-37, Open 1 - 14-32, Open 2 - 21-12 15U - 10-35, 12U 17-8, 10U - 16-4 8U - 1-10 6U 5-6. 

Format for Knockouts – Top two for each grade goes straight to the semis. 

The 3rd place will play 5th place - winner progress to semi-finals vs 2nd place.

The 4th place will play 6th place - winner progresses to semi-finals vs 1st place.

Fixtures

Wednesday: Mountain side Court (Court 1) – 4.30pm - Open 2 - Titikaveka vs Arorangi, 5.15pm - Open 1 - Arorangi vs Tupapa; Sea side Court (Court 2) – 4.30pm - Open 2 - Tupapa vs Nga/Mat, 5.15pm - Open 1 - Takuvaine vs Titikaveka.

Saturday: Mountain side Court (Court 1) – Games to start at 11am 6U - Arorangi vs Avatiu, 8U - Takuvaine vs Avatiu, 10U - Tupapa vs Nga/Mat, 12U - Takuvaine vs Titikaveka, 15U - Arorangi vs Nga/Mat, Reserves - Nga/Mat vs Arorangi, Prems - Tupapa vs Arorangi, 4.30pm - Open 2 - Titikaveka vs Arorangi, 5.15pm - Open 1 - Arorangi vs Tupapa.

Sea side Court (Court 2) – Games to start at 11am 6U - Takuvaine vs Tupapa, 8U - No Game, 10U - Takuvaine vs Titikaveka, 12U - Nga/Mat vs Tupapa, 15U - Titikaveka vs Takuvaine, Reserves - Takuvaine vs Tupapa.