Team KAPs took their first win in week two of the 2024 Touch Rugby Competition against Nukz Power in the men’s division on Monday.

Touch Association president Julieanne (Julz) Westrupp says week two of the touch season was played in good weather conditions considering there had been a cyclone warning over the Cook Islands.

In the men’s division both teams Nukz Power and KAPs did not have a win last week so this week’s match was important for them. 

And team KAPS came away winning with a close score of 5 – 4, their first win of the season.

Also, in the men's division, defending champions team GAT started off on a high, taking a 2 point lead against the Warriors.

Team Warriors. SUPPLIED / 24020609

But the Warriors came back with a couple of tries. 

Half time score was 4 - 3, and it was still anyone's game and the second half was a thriller. 

Westrupp said Oscar Wichman scored a couple of tries for team GAT and came away with another win with a score of 6 - 5.

In the women's division on field 1 the mighty Nikz took on the FBI women. 

Team Nikz. SUPPLIED / 24020615

And both teams not having a win last week were desperate for points on the table.   

Westrupp said there were some great plays displayed by both teams, especially the Poaru sisters (Maeva and Mele) and PareTangata from team Nikz. 

And not forgetting the female with speed and flare, Nicol Tiaore. 

Team FBI. SUPPLIED / 24020610

She said FBI, the team with patience and less touch players from the Pacific Games started off well with the duo sisters (Kura and Rima) and Hinaah Tatuava scoring a few tries but Nikz were a lot hungrier and came out with a win, score 7 - 3. 

She said that young Nana Ngaroi also played a full game on the wing, showing great talent for the FBI team.

Westrupp explained that the other women’s games were played by defending champions Nukz Power and Bounty. 

Both teams managed a win last week so whoever won this game would most likely take the lead on the table. 

Nukz Power women’s team. SUPPLIED/ 24020613

Nukz Power scored first with a great play of 'rooster' by mother and daughter duo, Sunelia Tom and Mahana Sjip but Bounty hit back with a brilliant try set up by Mere Atatoa-Carr doing a back door play and having numbers out wide. 

Team Bounty. SUPPLIED / 24020612

She said having numbers in a team helps and Nukz Power dominated this with good numbers to ensure both the exit/entry process could be followed with ample rest for the team.

She said Nukz Power were lucky to win this game as Bounty showed some great plays but were unfortunate, final score 6 - 1.   

Try of the day was awarded to Teremoana McQuarie with a run-away try down the line running almost all of the field.

Ending off the day was the Masters division where those 45 years and over put their boots on and had a run using this to prepare for Cook Island Games. 

Team GAT. 24020611

She said some touch rugby Stalwarts took the field and both the men and women showed skill and talent. 

“Head of the pack was our Prime Minister, Honourable Mark Brown strutting his stuff in his Rarotonga purple singlet.  Other players were Bruno Ina Tou, Pare Tangata, Tony McQuarie and William 'Tiger' Taripo to name a few.  None of the gold medalists (Team Mangaia) were to be seen, they must have a secret training strategy for the upcoming Cook Island games.”

Westrupp is encouraging all islands team leaders to get their 45s down to the field on Mondays for the 6pm game. 

Westrupp would like to thank the refs and Jason Lindsay for giving up their time and assisting with games and ensuring the time and scores are kept for this season.

Draw for today:  5pm: Nukz Power vs CISNOC; 5.30pm: Outlaws vs 007; 6pm: JAWs vs KAPs.