Cook Islands U21 side won its first match against Papua New Guinea 64-45 at the Netball World Youth Cup Qualifier Oceania at the National Sports Arena in Nikao last night.

The tournament, which began yesterday, also features Tonga, Fiji and Samoa, vying for a spot in the Netball World Youth Cup 2025. Fiji, which has pre-qualified, is participating as a non-competitive team.

Putting on a good attack and defence play, the national team got the local supporters cheering them on until the final minute of the game.

Cook Islands had a slender 17-14 lead at the end of the opening quarter and extended it to 35-21 at the break.

The score at the end of the third quarter was 51 to 31 to the Cook Islands.

Papua New Guinea came back strong in the final quarter but the national players remained composed and kept the momentum to win 64-45.

Samoa defeated Tonga 51-45 in a closely contested opening match of the tournament yesterday.

Cook Islands will face Tonga in its second match at 5pm today.

Netball Cook Islands U21 squad: Tia Crombie, Kydan Tuapou, Tapuaiva Piakura, Jazaria Tongotong, Aaliyah Koteka, Nicol Tiaore, Deja-Maree Waitere- Patterson, Normavina Pepe, Maihanarei Short, Aleida Tere, Mattelena Tepai, Ngahuia Te Rure, Jazaria Tongotongo. Reserves: Maya Piakura, Terrisa Piri, Maara Teariki.

Fixtures: September 17: Tonga vs CK Islands- 5pm; Fiji vs Samoa- 7.15pm; September 18: PNG vs Samoa- 5pm; Tonga vs Fiji- 7.15pm; September 19: Fiji vs PNG- 5pm; Samoa vs CK Islands 7.15pm; September 20: CK Islands vs Fiji- 5pm; PNG vs Tonga- 7.15pm; September 21: yet to be finalised.