Tupapa Panthers claimed the Cook Islands Rugby Union women’s title after beating Arorangi Bears in the final at Teimurimotia Park in Titikaveka last Saturday.

The Cook Islands Rugby Union women’s final was a thrilling match as Tupapa Panthers faced off against the Arorangi Bears last Saturday. The game was intense, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination in a fierce battle for the championship.

Tupapa took an early lead with a spectacular try that demonstrated their precision and agility. The play started with a coast-to-coast move, where Julz Westrupp made a brilliant cutback to the left, setting up Rima Browne. Browne skilfully found a gap in the Bears’ defence and dashed through the middle to score Tupapa’s first try.

Browne’s exceptional performance didn’t stop there; she continued to set up plays for her teammates, creating opportunities for the wingers to break through Arorangi’s defence and score again for Tupapa.

The strong winds played a significant role in the match, affecting passes and making it challenging for both teams to maintain control. Despite these conditions, the players showed remarkable skill and adaptability, adjusting their tactics to cope with the weather.

In the second half, the Bears managed to fight back. Off a scrum just 10 metres from the try line, Ani Heather showcased her speed by taking the ball down the blindside, racing past the defence to score the Bears’ first try. This moment of brilliance brought the Bears back into the game.

As the match neared its conclusion, Victoria Fatiaki made a stunning 70-metre run, displaying incredible speed and stamina. However, Kiana Sword, with determination, managed to chase Fatiaki down and tackle her just before the try line, preventing what could have been a game-changing score.

In the end, the Tupapa Panthers emerged victorious 12-7, thanks to their solid defence and tactical plays.

After the match, Westrupp, one of the key players for Tupapa, shared her thoughts on the game.

“Arorangi definitely gave us a scare as they were hitting us more aggressively on defence compared to our past encounters, and this really shows that they have been working overtime this year.”