Masters relive ‘glory days’

The masters of rugby league played their games at the Ngatangiia field last Friday.

Auckland referee Maxine and local referee Arthur Emile officiated the first match between the Panthers and Eagles, where league stars Darren Piri and Bobby Hunter showcased skills from ‘glory days’.

The second match between the Eels and the Valley Koura Vai got the spectators on their feet, shouting out their own versions of the rules to both players and referees alike.

Despite the side line advices, referees Dawn and Manea kept their cool and controlled the match well.

Phil Campbell and Maxine Godinet of New Zealand masters, picked Bobby Hunter from the Eagles, Marshall McMahon from the Panthers, Tua Dyer from the Warriors and Piho Mitchell from the Eels as the ‘most valuable players’ of the games.

The duo also presented trophies won by the Cook Islands masters in last month’s New Zealand tournament, to Bobby Hunter for player of the tournament, to Curly Taripo, who led the best karaoke group, while referees Dawn Crummer and Simi Teiotu received special awards for officiating at the event.

New Zealand masters referee trainer, Maxine, also certified 20 local masters’ referees to the delight of local referees’ co-ordinator/trainer Simi Teiotu.

On Friday the masters will gather at the Happy Valley field with the Valley Koura Vai playing the Eagles first at 4.45 pm, followed by the Eels and Panthers.