Nervous start to sevens

The Cook Islands womens rugby sevens team didnt quite bolt out of the gate on the first day of competition yesterday, but they eventually went from a canter to a trot.

Nerves got the better of the Cook Islands in their first game against Pacific Games host New Caledonia who slipped 2 tries past the Cooks to win 10-0.

It wasnt the start the Cooks wanted but the girls picked themselves up again and with determination ran back out on to the field soon after the first loss to face a sprightly and speedy Guam team.

After Guam scored the first try, the local girls found the mongrel and aggressiveness they needed and hit back with 4 beautiful tries.

Stalwart Edith Nicholas was outstanding in the match as she controlled the game and with the likes of Marggie Toka, Vaine Ben, Mary Adams and Jamie Gotty in support the team convincingly beat Guam 22-5.

The Cooks had little time to celebrate the win before facing a tough Fiji side who thrashed the Cook Islands 36-7 before facing their last opponent on the first day of competition, Tahiti.

The girls will return to the field today to play Samoa and Papua New Guinea.