The mixed touch rugby teams on game three of the 2024 Touch Rugby Competition turned up on Wednesday last week, featuring a mix of fun, love, and laughter.

Cook Islands Touch Association’s president Julieanne (Julz) Westrupp said Valentine’s Day was celebrated at the National Stadium with the mixed touch teams, especially team Outlaws, who dressed for the occasion.

Westrupp said to add a mix of fun, love, and laughter, they played CISNOC led by Keziah Lewis and Jason Lindsay.

She said Outlaws running around in cute red tutus made the atmosphere look “lovey” while Toru Mateariki was running with a blonde wig. But the match had to go on, and the final score was 10-1 to the Outlaws.

Westrupp said the introduction of a new team increased the number of teams to seven, which meant one team would play twice, at 5pm and again at 6pm.

JAWs played a double-header last week.

First up, they faced the more experienced team 007. Westrupp said there were some great plays by both teams, especially team JAWs, which had new females apart from Mere Atatoa-Carr. Development was definitely being shown by team leader and stalwart Teokotai “Billy Bush” Tuaivi.

Westrupp said again, 007 showed they are strong contenders and came out victors with a score of 8-3.

Looking at the game of the day in terms of “toughness”, Westrupp said it would have to be between KAPs and Nukz Power.

“Both teams were gunning the middles and KAPs took the lead in the first half with a score of 3-2.”

Nukz tried to come back with some good plays, but a run-away try by KAPs put them in the lead. Nukz’s errors during scoring opportunities ultimately led to KAPs’ victory with a final score of 6-5.

The final game of the day was between JAWs and the new team Huffin & Puffin, led by Gary Cribb.

Cribb admitted his team was new to the game and they were just there to have fun, but they unexpectedly scored first and had a very good first half.

Westrupp said that unfortunately, Huffin & Puffin’s lack of fitness saw the young guns from team JAWs, who played the full 30 minutes with speed, flare, and determination, win 13-4.

The open grade category heads into round two, the matches will be played this afternoon at the stadium.

Westrupp said that the grandstand will be out of bounds due to maintenance. Teams can sit on the track and on the side of the field.

• Losirene Lacanivalu

Fixtures

Today – 5pm Field 1 FBI vs Nukz Power, Field 2 Nikz vs Bounty; 5.30pm

Field 1 KAPs vs Warriors, Field 2 Nuks Power vs GAT; 6pm Field 1

Gold can vs Green can (Masters)