The captains of the Lady Panthers and Lady Bears praised their players for their dedication and sacrifice in the inaugural Cook Islands Rugby Union women’s 10s competition.

The two clubs overcame numerous challenges, including player availability, to field teams in the three-match series.

The Panthers won all three matches, including the winner-take-all final, beating the Bears 38-0 at Victoria Park in Tupapa on Saturday.

Lady Panthers captain Kiana Sword-Tua thanked the Bears for making the competition possible.

“Without you, there would be no games or season to play,” Sword-Tua said.

“To our girls, thank you for wearing the black jersey this season. It was a short season, but I think we have come a long way from league to union.

Lady Panthers put on a dominant performance to outclass Lady Bears 38-0 in the women’s 10s final on Saturday. 23080740

“Hopefully we will see you all next year and keep playing.”

Lady Bears captain Stephanie Nooroa said they were unlucky that the short season did not allow them enough time to adjust to rugby union and play to their full potential.

“It’s unlucky that it was a short season because I feel like the more we got into union, you could see the development. I’m hoping to see union get bigger in Rarotonga. It’s not there yet, but it’s a good start,” Nooroa said.

“Thank you to all our organisers, our executives, and everybody behind women’s rugby in Rarotonga. Thank you for your support.

“Thank you to my ladies for putting on the jersey again. We weren’t really keen this season because everybody was just knackered from all the trainings for the Pacific Games and just coming out of the league season. But just for the development of rugby, we put our hands up.”

In the premier men’s final, Tupapa Panthers defeated 2022 champions Avatiu Nikao Eels 13-12 after scoring the winning try in the 79th minute.

Panthers coach Thomas Toa, who took over from Darren Piri (away overseas), praised his players for fighting until the end.

Tupapa Panthers forwards trying to bulldoze their way through. 23080746/ 23080747

“I thought they played well. I thought a few calls went against us, but it’s rugby. You have to play to the whistle and one thing I always tell my team is that the game is not over until the last whistle,” Toa said.

He said the message to the players in the dying stages of the match when they were down 8-12 was to maintain possession and keep pushing for that winning try.

“I didn’t want them to kick the ball. We needed to hold onto the ball when in their half and we did, and scored in the end.”

Avatiu Nikao Eels coach Clive Nicholas, who was not happy with some crucial calls made by the match officials, said they lacked execution.

Results

Tupapa Panthers: 13 (Tries: Jone Baikeibau & Filimoni Laitianara. Pen: Daniel Toa) Avatiu Eels: 12 (Pen: Viiga Ruepena [4])

Women: Lady Panthers: 38 (Tries: Soko Dikoiwakua [2], Cia Alicia [2], Kiana Sword-Tua & Vaine-Usa Aroita. Conv: Rima Browne [4]) Lady Bears: 0 

U19s: Arorangi Bears: 33 (Tries: Samu Ritawa [3], Maka Maui & Albert Etuete    Conv: Oscar Wichman [4]) Avatiu Eels: 5 (Try: Jordan Peraua).