After nearly a decade long break, cricket is swinging back in action on the island of Aitutaki. The 2022 season marked the island’s third year in reviving the sport “that most Aitutakians love to play and watch”, said Daniel Mataiti, president of Aitutaki Cricket Association.

Cricket got back into action after a long break in 2020 with just Paerunga and Paeraro men’s teams from the village of Ureia playing as a fun game.

This continued to the following year (2021) as a village to village game challenge with four village participating – Amuri Green Machine, Tautu Blues, Ureia and Arenikau.

For the 2022 season, the association added their fifth team – Vaipae VBar. Mataiti said: “There has been a tremendous turnout this season with five villages that has now participated with one men’s and one women’s team from each village.”

In the men’s competition, Amuri Green Machine won the Round Cup and Tautu Blues took out the Knock-out and Champion of Champion titles.

In the women’s, the Tautu Blues won the Round Cup with Vaipae Vbar taking out both Knock-out and Champion of Champion titles.

“Thanking all our committees for their hard work in getting the players together. For this season we didn’t get out much to our sponsors as our season was short and playing every day that is beautiful. But we do acknowledge our past and present sponsors for their generosity and a giving heart. May the good Lord bless you all with your businesses,” Mataiti said.

“For this year (season) we had the help from Cook Islands Cricket Association (CICA), Platinum Cruise and Mona’s Watertaxi. Thank you very much. We are looking forward to our next season.”