The 2022 Raro 7s got off to a shaky start yesterday afternoon after teams pulled out leaving organisers to change the draws for men’s and under-18 competitions.

Atiu pulled out of the men’s competition leaving only five teams to compete for the main title at the annual Raro 7s tournament being held at the National Stadium in Nikao.

Initially the men’s teams were grouped in two pools. After Atiu pulled out, the organisers revised the draw into round robin competition between defending champions Tupapa Panthers, Yalovata A, Yalovata B, Aitutaki and Avatiu.

The Darren Piri-coached Panthers went down to Avatiu 5-31 in the opener before thumping Aitutaki 41-0. However in their final match of day one, the side lost to Yalovata A 14-0.

The Panthers will need to win their remaining match today against Yalovata B to keep their final and title hopes alive.

Favourites Avatiu, coached by veteran Clive Nicholas, after beating Panthers, thumped Yalovata B 47-10 and will take on Aitutaki and Yalovata A in their remaining matches this afternoon.

Aitutaki has two wins from three matches after beating Yalovata A 14-12 and Yalovata B 24-12.

In the women’s competition, defending champions Tupapa Panthers made a good start with a 22-0 win against Aitutaki before going down to Bears 0-24.

In the U18 matches, Bears beat Panthers 27-10 and Aitutaki 24-0. Two teams – Atiu and Mangaia – pulled out of the U18 competition.

Results

Senior men’s – Panthers 5 Avatiu 31, Yalovata A 12 Aitutaki 14, Aitutaki 0 Panthers 41, Avatiu 47 Yalovata B 10, Yalovata B 12 Aitutaki 24, Yalovata A 14 Panthers 0

Fixtures

2pm Women’s Aitutaki-Bears, 2.18pm Men’s Yalovata A-Yalovata B, 2.36pm Men’s Aitutaki-Avatiu, 2.54 U18 Aitutaki-Panthers, Break, 3.30pm Men’s Avatiu-Yalovata A, 3.48pm Yalovata B-Panthers, ANZ dash for cash, 4.30pm U18 final (top two), 4.50pm Women’s final, 5.10pm men’s final.