The Rarotonga Cricket Club competition heads into knockouts this weekend with teams eyeing final spots.

It will be do or die for Nikao and Tupapa K-11 Muia Boys in men’s and Matavera and Tupapa in women’s today.

They finished the weekly competition in third and fourth places, respectively, and will be battling it out against each other for a spot in next week’s semi-finals.

In the women’s third place playoff, defending champions Matavera will do everything in their power to beat Tupapa in their bid to keep their title defence campaign alive.

According to Davis Teinaki, the chief executive of Cook Islands Cricket, “Matavera will rely heavily on their most experience players Tina Mato, Apii Tangata and Bene Matapo to lead the way for their troop.”

“Standing in their way is the never say die attitude Tupapa, led by their skipper Kuraani Aturai. They are expected to bring their A game on Saturday.”

The winner of this match will play the loser of top place playoff between Turangi and Muri.

“Turangi need to maintain their resilient and composure this Saturday against Muri. A young team led by Ina Willie have worked hard and prove to be the real deal in this year’s competition. Being top in the women’s point table by winning all their games in the round robin says it all,” Teinaki said.

“However, Muri cannot be taken lightly in this match has they have some top players, the likes of Makiroa Mato, Daena Kataina and rest of their line-up will really trouble Turangi this weekend.”

In the men’s third place playoff, neighbours Nikao, who finished third, will take on fourth placed Tupapa K-11 Muia Boys

Nikao has proven from time to time how good they are this season. Finalist last year, Nikao will want to continue their momentum further with a win against Tupapa K-11.

Nikao will look no further than their experience players such as Deacon Teapa, Patiiamai and Melody Melota to lead the way for their team.

Tupapa K-11, a new addition to the competition, has managed to finish in the top four this year and will be gunning for a place in the final.

“Whoever makes less mistakes in the match will have a big chance of winning,” Teinaki said.

The winner of this match will take on the loser of the Arorangi versus Turangi clash.

“Last weekend’s match between these two top teams showed how powerful and balanced Arorangi team has become. Unbeaten in the preliminary rounds, now they are favourites to win the whole thing. Their stats in this year’s competition speaks for itself. Competition’s top run scorer Dan Simpson is the key man for Arorangi to continue his hot form this season. Arorangi has a well-balanced side this year with their bowling, batting and fielding,” Teinaki said.

“Turangi the defending champion will not lie down after their first loss last week. The loss will inspire them to fire up when they meet again (today).  “Knowing Turangi, they definitely will have something special in their arsenal.  They will rely heavily on the experience of Vane and Richard to steer the team back to their winning way.”

Fixtures

Men’s Top 4 Playoff – Arorangi-Turangi at Turangi Oval (Umpire: Leeroy Mangere), Nikao-Tupapa K-11 Muia Boys at Nikao Field (Umpire: Terry William); Bottom 4 – TKV-Matavera at Happy Valley, Muri-Tupapa at Nukupure Park (Umpire: Ripper Atiau). Women’s Top 4 Playoff – Turangi-Muri at Turangi Oval (Umpire: Leeroy Mangere), Matavera-Tupapa at Nukupure Park (Umpire: Ripper Atiau); Bottom 3 – Nikao-TKV at Nikao Field (Umpire: Terry William).