The Cook Islands netball team clinched a last-minute winner against Canada on Friday night to secure third place in their final match at the Mirxes Nations Cup in Singapore.

The national side won 49-48 in a pulsating final quarter as both teams battled tooth and nail for the winner.

During the round robin match this week, Cook Islands thumped Canada 63-37 after successive losses against Singapore 36-58 and Sri Lanka 52-63. In their opening match, the national side defeated Singapore A 53-30.

Last night with both teams hungry for a win, Cook Islands managed to fend off a late challenge from the Canadians to finish third in the tournament.

Papua New Guinea took on hosts Singapore in the final last night. The match was still underway when this edition went to print.

Cook Islands lost to Papua New Guinea in their final round robin match 59-46 on Thursday night. In the 15 minute of the match Papua New Guinea declared their authority and capitalised on Cook Islands errors to lead the first quarter 19-9.

The second quarter was closely contested, with Papua New Guinea winning 15-13 after Cook Islands veteran shooter Curly Taripo went into the court.

However, Papua New Guinea remained in control, winning the quarter 14-10. While Cook Islands mounted a strong comeback in the fourth quarter, it was too little, too late, and Papua New Guinea secured a 13-goal victory with a final score of 59-46.

The Mirxes Nations Cup followed a round-robin format that included top-ranked teams, namely Cook Islands (ranked 19th), Sri Lanka (ranked 20th), Papua New Guinea (ranked 36th), Canada (unranked), and Singapore’s very own opens (ranked 26th) and A teams.

The Cook Islands netball team will now shift its focus to the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands next month.

Cook Islands netball team (12 athletes, 3 officials) – Management: Tekura Moeka’a (Co-Coach, Team Manager), Tupa Tupa (Co-Coach - Assistant Manager), Technical Official: Autiare Luke. Players: Curly George, Maya Piakura, Alanna Smith, Mati Toru (CC), Romehael Rauraa (CC), Rachel Tuaputa, Mere Jean Piri, Norma Pepe, Nicol Tiaore, Aleida Tere, Kimberly Tangirere, Rochelle Teiri.