Cook Islands Touch Association concluded their 2022 weekly club competition with exciting matches in the mixed division finals last week.

Outlaws were crowned the new champions in the mixed open grade after they pipped 007 in a closely contested final on Wednesday.

The match of the week saw both teams fielding their experienced players which allowed the game to flow with pace and discipline. 

Cook Islands Touch president Julieanne Westrupp said: “007 was led by Andy (Kapi) and Vou (Williams) kept hunting the 7m line but Outlaws defence policy definitely proved hard to score.”

In a mixed team competiton, the team that uses their women more is normally the team that wins and that proved right for Outlaws as Romey Rauraa scored a hattrick catching the money balls that were passed to her under pressure. 

A nice run away try from Pare Noovao for 007 gave them the motivation to keep going but the Outlaws were just too tough and won the game 5-3.

The Masters final between Atiu and Nukz Power was another fast-paced game considering age – “it wasn’t a factor that was used to slow the game down”, Westrupp said.

“Atiu having brothers Andy and Chris definitely gave them the edge to control the game with flair and skill”

However, this didn’t deter Nukz Power from putting up a brave fight and giving Atiu a good game, which ended 6-4 in favour of Atiu. 

“A great game that showed age is just a number.”

The Under-18s final between BITG and Team ATT was a great game to watch. “These young guns kept firing at each other and this game ended with a draw at full time. Because of daylight being against us, CITA decided to start drop offs at 3 players (2 men and 1 women).  This was a nail biting drop off where BITG proved to be the better team on the day. Congrats to team BITG.”

Fighting for 3rd/4th spot in the open mixed were Nukz Power and Team ATT. The flare from Team ATT definitely showed but Nukz Power were able to pip them in the second half to claim the third spot.

Also fighting for 3rd/4th spot in the Masters division was Manix and Slow and Steady.

“Age sure proves that it’s only a number because these players looked like they were playing in the open division. Taking out third spot was Slow and Steady,” Westrupp said.

Cook Islands Touch Association has shifted its focus on the upcoming Constitution Games, Cook Islands Games and the annual Boxing Day tournament.

Westrupp said: “Thank you to Clive and the Avatiu club house for the venue and also to Tukaka and the Ngatangiia club house for allowing us to play our finals at your venue.”

“Meitaki maata to our refs for showing up and taking the abuse from players and still coming back. Thank you to our helpers that made our job easier setting up and packing up each week.

“Lastly a huge thanks to our two major sponsors – Bank of the Cook Islands and Vodafone. Your continuous support is appreciated.”

Results

MVPs for 2022 were: 18s - Mahana Sijp and Terry Peraua, Masters - Julz Westrupp and Andy Kapi, Opens - Hinnah Tatuava and Puni Hiro.