October will be a busy time for Cook Islands international rugby league representatives.

Not content with sitting by idly to watch their younger mates play against New Zealand in a one-off test next month, a team of Cook Islands masters will be on the road playing for the nation.

With an average age of 50, the League Masters players say they are not only in their golden age but they will soon be playing in a golden place.

The week after the Kiwi-Kuki test match is held on October 6, the Cook Islands Rugby League Masters squad will head off to Australias Gold Coast for the International Rugby League Masters.

This will be the League Masters second international tournament after their first successful tour to the International Masters 2009 in Auckland.

As a result of that tour, the Cook Islands Rugby League Masters is now a registered organisation with their headquarters based in Takuvaine.

The squad has been preparing since the beginning of the league season and this commitment certainly reflects their performance on the field during their first big hit out on Friday at the Nikao Stadium against a strong combination of players from the Mongoose squad and other clubs.

The game was played at a pace which kind of contradicts the League Masters slogan of slow and steady but most importantly, the game was played in good spirit.

The touring squad was impressive in the forwards led by former international players and coaches Taua Benioni and Lucky Matapuku supported by Big T Adams and Johnny Hosking.

Member of parliament Wilkie Rasmussen provided some quality balls from halfback to standoff Cook Islands Rugby League president Charles Carlson as he continuously sliced the opposition to set his full back and centres to dot down a few tries.

Making a comeback to the game was the man they love to hate, top referee Simi Harrigan Teiotu.

Teiotu swapped the whistle for a jersey this time, putting in some impressive hit ups and strong defence.

It was not all good for the touring side as the Mongoose speedsters found holes in their defence and managed to cross the line to keep the scores in par.

However, strong defence and smart play in the last quarter saw the touring side narrowly edging out the combined Mongoose Force by a try.

The touring squad will play again at 5pm this Friday. Theyll meet a Mongoose Combined Force at the Swamp in Nikao and the after match reminiscence of DMD (during my days) at the League Masters Headquarters in Takuvaine.

The Eels Bar will be open for those who prefer a cold one as opposed to running around the field.

The League Masters in the Cook Islands is restricted to 40 years and over with the average age of the players around 50 years young.

The season has been very disappointing due to lack of participation from players but the game last Friday surprisingly attracted more than 50 players itching for a run.

This is certainly a good build up for the touring squad and also for the league season come 2012.