Despite the heat, Cook Islands Touch Open competition continued with close games and good sportsmanship at the National Stadium in Nikao on Monday.

Teams competing in the Cook Islands Touch Open competition turned up ready to face their opponents for game five of the 2024 season.

In the women’s category on field one, Nikz took on the FBI ladies, who improved on their performance scoring three tries, two by Rima Browne and one from Hinnah Tatuava.

Cook Islands Touch president Julieanne (Julz) Westrupp said young players are stepping up as well.

Westrupp said Nikz were led by experienced players and their daughters. Speed was their strength in getting around players which gave them the lead. Nikz won 5-3.

On field two, the Nukz Power ladies, taking on Bounty, started with only eight players, which was a surprise as they normally have numbers, Westrupp said. She said Bounty came hard with some good plays from Kayleena Kermode scoring a nice run away try in the first half.

“With the field not being lined made it hard for players and the referees but the players continued to play with wit and determination.”

Westrupp said three more players showed up late for Nukz Power, which definitely helped as fatigue started to kick in for both teams.

“A nice try on the wing was scored by Steph Nooroa due to a lack of shut down from the mighty arrows.”

Another sneaky try from Rima Browne and then young Tashi Kopu saw a gap on the entry attack and gunned it to the try line to help Nukz Power win 5-3.

“Great to see the development of younger players in all women’s teams,” Westrupp said.

In the men’s category, Nukz Power had it worse than the women as they only had six men and were brought down to five due to an injury.

Westrupp said their opposition team, KAPS, was not going to pity them and came hard to score some nice tries, two from young Logan Ahau and a try from Paul Ngaroi.

But the return of Tuffy Tuakana proved crucial for the Nukz Power as they went down fighting by a point, 3-4.

The game of the day was between unbeaten team GAT and the Warriors. Westrupp said team play was shown by team GAT as all six tries were spread between the players.

The return of Andy Kapi brought some flair to the Warriors as he scored two tries, but couldn’t help his side as they went down to GAT 4-6.

Westrupp would like to apologise to all open men and women teams for not having the field lined for play.

Fixtures 

More touch today with the mixed category: Double banger goes to the Nukz Power team who have the two top teams in this category.

5pm: Field 1- Nukz power vs Outlaws; Field 2- Huffin & Puffin vs KAPs; 5.30pm: Field 1- JAWs vs CISNOC; 6pm- Field 1- Nukz power vs 007

 The grandstand will be closed for seating.