The Cook Islands 2024 Mixed Touch Competition has five more weeks of round robin games before the exciting playoffs.

On Wednesday last week at the National Stadium in Nikao, defending champions 007 had a doubleheader against CISNOC and Huffin & Puffin.

Cook Islands Touch Association president Julieanne (Julz) Westrupp said veterans Andy Kapi and Daniel Ahau showed they still have the skills to outplay their opponents.

Westrupp said 007 again demonstrated why they are the defending champions, reminding their opponents of their dominance.

“They were scoring tries for both games through the middles as well as on the wings,” Westrupp said.

Both games were won by 007. They beat CISNOC 8-2 before overcoming Huffin & Puffin 9-1.

Westrupp said young John “Worry” Noovao proved that a fractured arm doesn’t prevent him from playing or scoring touchdowns.

007 also featured Harriet Raui who returned in preparation for the Cook Islands Games and managed to score two tries.

On field two, KAPs took on Outlaws. Both teams had 10 players, making it an even contest.

Westrupp said Alan Gempton displayed some great defensive plays for the Outlaws, preventing crucial tries from KAPs.

She said young Ivah Piakura also showed good attacking skills in the middle, “showing that it’s not only her dad who is good with the oval ball”. 

The Outlaws won 6-1.

In the match between JAWs and the mighty Nukz Power, Teokotai “Billy Bush” Tuaivi scored early in the game, putting Nukz Power on notice that JAWs meant business.

 “Again, Mahana Sijp was dangerous in the middle playing alongside Tuakana “Tuffy” Ngametua,” Westrupp said.

“And new into team Nukz Power was Brian Akava who is here to play league for the mighty Bulldogs. He scored a hat-trick and will definitely play a huge part in taking his team forward.”
The open men’s and women’s competition continues today.

Fixtures

Today: 5pm Field 1 KAPs-Warriors, Field 2Nukz Power-GAT; 5.30pm Field 1 FBI-Nukz Power, Field 2 Nikz-Bounty