Team GAT remains undefeated and leads the 2024 Cook Islands Touch open men’s competition after round two at the National Stadium in Nikao. Nukz Power holds the top spot in the women’s category, mirroring their male counterparts with an unbeaten run and 18 points.

Warriors (men) and Bounty Hunters (women) follow closely behind in second place with 14 points each. KAPs (men) and Team Nikz (women) sit in third with 10 points each, while Nukz Power (men) and FBI (women) occupy the fourth position.

Monday’s final set of games for round two delivered another exciting day of competition.

In the women’s category, Bounty defeated FBI 6-1 on field one.

Bounty ladies were determined to hold onto their current second placing and proved this by scoring six tries as a team, said Touch president Julieanne (Julz) Westrupp.

Westrupp added the match saw some great plays from the “ladies in blue” with experienced players Monica Wichman, Hina Tommy, and Mere Atatoa-Carr featuring strongly for Bounty. Tries were scored by Gina, Esther, Steph, Mere, Kayleena and Hina Boo. Try scorer for the FBI team was Lillian Maui. 

On field two, the undefeated Nukz Power faced Team Nikz, winning 4-2. Westrupp noted that Nukz Power, missing the Macquarie and Short sisters who are overseas, faced some pressure and fatigue due to their smaller team size. However, she said that surprisingly the Nukz Power were able to score first as Nikz took a while to get into the groove of things.

Westrupp said the Poaru sisters Maeva and Mele along with their mum Edith Nicholas kept hounding the middle along with Ivah Piakura and Nicoel Tiaore. 

“This definitely made mum and daughter Suniela and Mahana work hard along with cousins Rima Browne and Tashi Kopu.”

Westrupp commended referees Brian Lewis and Pozo Ngaroi for maintaining control despite occasional backchats from players.

The match ended with a close score of 4-2 in favour of Nukz Power, the “ladies from Mitiaro”.

The men’s category saw one-sided games, with GAT defeating KAPs 11-3 and Warriors overpowering Nukz Power 12-1.

Westrupp highlighted the exceptional plays of Puna Hiro and Oscar Wichman from GAT, who dominated the middle and made it difficult for KAPs’ Viiga Mataroa and Caleb Chase.

In the other match, Vou Williams, Geoffery Halston, Maeva Mateariki, and Andy Kapi led the Warriors’ offence against Nukz Power, who were led by Tuffy Ngametua and the Tutai brothers (Maru, Stanley, and TK).

Young Totoa Tiaore from Mitiaro scored Nukz Power’s only try on the far wing.

“A nice long ball from Tuffy was whipped out to Totoa. The fast legs of Maeva had the Warriors scoring a total of 12 tries. Win to the Warriors.”

Oscar Wichman (GAT) and Vou Williams (Warriors) top the open men’s try scorer list, followed closely by John Noovao (11). In the women’s category, Mahana Sjip leads with nine tries, while Nicole Tiaore sits close behind with eight.

Westrupp concluded by reminding teams to respect the referees, acknowledging the valuable role they play in facilitating the games. The mixed games will take place today at the National Stadium.

Fixtures

Today – 5pm- Field 1: 007 vs CISNOC; Field 2: KAPs vs Outlaws, 5.30pm- Field 1: Nukz Power vs JAWs, 6pm: Field 1: 007 vs Huffin & Puffin. Double Banger - 007