The second day of the Netball in Paradise 2024 tournament at the National Sports Arena in Nikao brought plenty of thrills and tight matchups as teams from Rarotonga and New Zealand battled it out on the court yesterday.

With matches in the mixed, women, and 17-and-under grades, the tournament is shaping up to be a fantastic showcase of netball skill and spirit.

In the women’s category, the Broconuts solidified their dominance with a commanding 27-4 win over Just Wanted ATTR and a 23-16 victory over Kio Kio United, showcasing their title aspirations.

Bumblebees claimed a decisive 22-10 win over Raro Reddy but fell short against Just Kruizin Raro, losing 14-19, while Penekahi also overwhelmed Raro Reddy with a strong 22-10 win. Ulalei Pua Neinei, despite their efforts, narrowly lost to Rowdy Renegadez 7-10.

The mixed division saw Orange dominate Downtown Fiji 19-10, while Ulalei Maire triumphed over Orange 21-10. Broconuts displayed their strength again, defeating Ro & Co 15-11. Rowdy clinched a thrilling 15-13 win over Downtown Fiji but later fell 14-21 to Pa Puia, who showcased exceptional form.

In the 17s division, Tuahine secured a hard-fought 22-18 victory against Awakairangi, while NCI outplayed Raro 23-12 in a competitive matchup.

Netball Cook Islands president Ngere Puia shared her excitement about the tournament. “I’m so happy with the teams that have come to play,” she said. “The passion for netball is alive and well. It’s wonderful to see players of all ages, from the young ones to the older ones, and even the men joining in.”

Puia also highlighted the importance of hosting teams from New Zealand, saying, “It’s great for our local players to see different styles of netball. The competition is tough, especially in the mixed games, but the sportsmanship has been fantastic.”

With the tournament still in its early days, every team has a chance to make their mark. Puia praised the commitment of the Netball Cook Islands team and volunteers, saying, “Everyone has worked so hard to make this happen, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

As the tournament heats up, the crowd is eagerly anticipating more exciting netball action in the coming days. The finals will be held on Thursday.