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Arorangi, Tupapa claim Open titles

Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Netball, Sports

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Arorangi, Tupapa claim Open titles
Tupapa won the Open 2 final against Takuvaine, ending the latter’s unbeaten run, at the Tupapa Court on Wednesday. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/23060110, 23060111, 23060112, 23010613, 23060114, 23060115, 23060116, 23060117, 23060118, 23060119

Arorangi and Tupapa reigned supreme in the Rarotonga Netball Club Competition Opens finals at Tupapa Courts this week.

Tupapa ended the “Happy Valley ladies” Takuvaine’s unbeaten run in the competition to claim the Open 2 title on Wednesday.

Netball Cook Islands secretary, Tekura Moeka’a said Tupapa got off to a good start in the final as they scored off Takuvaine centre pass.

The previously unbeaten Takuvaine had a slow start and Tupapa played it to their advantage.

Moeka’a said Tupapa capitalised on Takuvaine’s mistakes.

“It wasn’t Takuvaine’s day. They struggled to enter the attacking circle even with turnovers.”

Moeka’a said Tupapa kept their lead and were under no threat when they chipped away goal after goal winning 25-13. 

In the Open 2 semi-finals played last week, Takuvaine defeated a determined Avatiu team 23-20 while Tupapa was unmatched against Titikaveka winning 25-9. 

In the Open 1 final, it was a tit for tat match between Arorangi and Titikaveka.

It was anyone’s game, said Moeka’a.

She said in the last 30 seconds, Titikaveka was leading by way of centre passes and a stepping call gave Arorangi the opportunity to equalise and take a slender lead and they did.

Titikaveka had the opportunity to draw the game and take it to extra time play but they fell short as the hooter sounded giving Arorangi the 22-21 win.

Moeka’a said April Tini from Titikaveka played an outstanding game, and Phillipa Arona kept her attacking side in form.

In the Open 1 semis, Titikaveka pulled out all stops in a low scoring match to beat Takuvaine 19-11. Arorangi, unbeaten in the round competition, defeated a young Avatiu side 23-20. 

The premier and other grade finals will be held tomorrow. In the premier showdown, underdogs Tupapa will take on Arorangi. They defeated top favourites Titikaveka and Avatiu in the semi-finals on Saturday.