The Noel Mani-led Mavericks were crowned the new champions of the Vodafone Cook Islands Boxing Day Touch Rugby Tournament 2023.

Mavericks defeated rugby touch stalwarts Outlaws, led by Puna Joseph, in the tournament final on Tuesday.

Eleven teams competed in the annual tournament held at Nukupure Park in Ngatangiia.

According to the Cook Islands Touch Association, it was perfect weather for the teams and families who came out in numbers to support each other.

The competition featured two categories – the competitive and the social trophies.

The Westrupp family in the social category competition. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU / 231226 16 -23122624

In the competitive category, Mavericks put up a good fight in the final against Outlaws. Both teams featured a good number of players from the recent Pacific Games national team, providing some great entertainment for the crowd.

The social category attracted families and this year there were teams from the Pepe family, the Piri family (Trix), the Toa family (Toaminators), the Wigmore family (Cloud 9 Stallions) and the Westrupp family (Touch It Like It’s Hot).

The Pepes and Trix battled it out in the final with Trix, led by Terry Piri, reminding the crowd why they were leaders in the game once upon a time! But the Pepes with their “younger” side managed to edge out Trix taking the Social trophy for 2023.

Actions from the Boxing Day Touch Competition at Nukupure Park. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU / 23122623 / 23122610

The most valuable player (MVP) male award went to Oscar Wichman from Outlaws and MVP female award went to Teretia Teinaki of Team KAPS. Both players played some consistent, great Touch throughout the tournament.

Most promising youth award went to 13-year-old TK Tutai from Touch It Like It’s Hot. Tutai played extremely well showing he could hold his own in the open grade.

The “Most Hard Earned Try” award went to Noel “Manitia” from Mavericks who had to sprint the length of the field to score for his team.

Cook Islands Touch thanked everyone who supported the tournament and the event sponsor Vodafone Cook Islands for the prizes to help make the tournament a success.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Beach Games touch competition will be held on January 8, 9 and 10 and the categories are mixed 14s, 18s and open grade.

Fee is $10 per person.