The Rarotonga Netball Club Competition junior and senior finals concluded last week with several thrilling games that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Arorangi was crowned the winner in the Open 1 Grade after defeating Avatiu in the final while Titikaveka ladies won Open Grade 2 showdown against Arorangi.

On Wednesday in the Open 1 grade final, Arorangi demonstrated formidable strength with their towering shooter, who successfully converted nearly all their centre passes and turnovers against Avatiu.

Despite Avatiu's attempts to alter the outcome, they succumbed to a 20-14 defeat in favour of Arorangi.

The Open 2 grade final was equally thrilling, featuring two top-of-the-table giants, Titikaveka and Arorangi.

Titikaveka entered the game with a strong determination to win, but Arorangi was not willing to give up easily.

The match saw swinging momentums on both sides, forcing coaches to make continuous substitutions to gain possession. After four hard-fought quarters, Titikaveka managed to pull away in the final quarter, securing a 23-20 victory.

Saturday’s clashes were for the reserves and the junior netball finals.

One of the most captivating games of the season was the Under 16 grade final between the undefeated Arorangi and Avatiu. This match was characterised by intense defensive play from both teams.

Despite being runners-up in the season rounds, the Penny Crocombe-coached Avatiu side came well-prepared for this final challenge.

The U16 final ended in a tie at full time, leading to an additional ten minutes of overtime to determine the winner.

The Tupapa dome erupted with cheers as these young teams battled fiercely. Avatiu, through strategic play, managed to overturn two centres from Arorangi, sealing their victory for the 2024 season with a final score of 30-28.

Reflecting on the match, Crocombe stated: “It all came down to who could maintain their endurance and stick to the strategy during those intensely pressuring moments.”

“I am incredibly proud of my girls for their perseverance. My role was to keep them motivated to play clean and positive, and the results followed.”

Crocombe went on to thank the Arorangi side for bringing in an exhilarating final and later said that the future of CI netball looks bright.

Another significant final on Saturday was the reserve grade match, which turned out to be a one-sided affair.

The Titikaveka girls dominated the Avatiu reserves from the beginning to the end. Avatiu struggled to respond in time, allowing Titikaveka to secure a commanding 45-30 victory.

The junior finals, held on Saturday morning, showcased the skill and potential of these budding athletes.

The premiership teams continue with another round of netball competition, providing an ongoing platform for excellence and development. Many members of the Cook Islands U21 squad play in these premiership teams, giving them more opportunities to showcase their skills and prove their worthiness for the next phase of the trials for the National U21 team.

The last round of games for round two is next Thursday followed by the knockouts, semis and finals. The premiership tournament ends on July 4.

Results: 6U grade, Avatiu - Arorangi: 9-5; 8U grade, Arorangi - Ngatangiia 6-0; 10U Arorangi - Ngatangiia 15-14; 12U Takuvaine - Titikaveka 25-13; 14U Takuvaine - Arorangi 28-17.