For the first time in nearly a decade, the Takuvaine women’s cricket team won the Cook Islands domestic cricket title after clinching the 2024 T20 Cookie Sadaraka Cup over the weekend.

The Takuvaine women dressed in red with a dash of blue managed to outplay the Turangi “Young Guns” in the final on Saturday at the Nikao Sports Field.

Turangi, who won the title in 2023, batted first and scored 104 runs in 20 overs.

In reply, Takuvaine reached the target in the 16^th over with the loss of two wickets, claiming an eight-wicket win.

Takuvaine opener Clara Cumming was superb with the bat, scoring 35 not out in the win.

Tauwai Ravarua, the captain of the Takuvaine women’s cricket team, has been playing the sport for 13 years. She has been batting for Takuvaine for eight years.

“I think this is the first time the Takuvaine cricket women have held the trophy, so this is making history for Takuvaine,” said Ravarua.

“I’m so happy, this is my first term being our captain and we’ve got the championship. I’m proud of our girls.

“It was really hot out there, I put everything into it, all my energy into that win.”

In the men’s final, defending champions Nikao Cricket Club’s “Black Wolves” defeated the inspirational Matavera team.

Nikao’s Teaute Ravarua was happy to see his team win the trophy for the second successive time.

Nikao batted first and scored 134 runs. In reply, Matavera was all out for 114 runs.

Teaute said: “Our game went well in the first inning; we were batting and we had a target to score 160 or 170 but we only scored 134.”

In the second inning, with Teaute and Teokoitu Pana leading the bowling attack, Nikao managed to dismiss the top Matavera batsmen cheaply.

“I think we’re happy with the result, we’ve got the trophy. I’m proud of our boys, and for the Matavera team too,” Teaute said.

He acknowledged their “Black Wolves” Nikao Cricket Club supporters and the members of the community.

The 2025 Takuvaine women’s cricket team: Captain Tauwai Ravarua, vice-captain Aketa Vailoa, Maree Aviu, Teina Nooapii, Marcienne Taura’a, Clara Cummings, Bethany Cummings, Ayala Tini, Teina Vailoa, Marina Vailoa, Apiianga Vailoa, Taromi Urirau, Vaine Urirau, Ngatupuna Taura’a, and Ta’au Taura’a.