Squash medals in contention

The Cook Islands mens squash team seem to have found their groove at the Pacific Games in Noumea after beating regional rivals Papua New Guinea on Wednesday (NC time).

On day one of the competition the mens team were defeated by New Caledonia and on day two Marlon Manlangit had the only success on the courts although fellow team mates Lyall Marsters, Tui Tuakeu and Manu Priest had credible games.

By day three the squad lifted their game to beat Papua New Guinea 3-1.

Marsters lost 2-3 to his opponent but Manglangit, Tuakeu and Priest all won their games 3-0.

Team manager Mousie Skews was overflowing with pride after the teams win and said the men have put themselves back into medal contention.

Theyve really lifted their game from 2007, 2009 and up to now, says Skews.

Fiji and PNG have always been the tough teams and now weve beaten PNG.

Skews says they are all proud of their boys and were prepared to face Vanuatu on Thursday (NC time) and Samoa on Friday.

Next week the squad will play in the individual competition and will be joined by sole female squash player Christine Hunter.