Squash team narrowly misses bronze

Despite fantastic and jaw-dropping performances by the Cook Islands mens squash team the bronze medal proved elusive at the Pacific Games mens tournament in Noumea.

The team of Lyall Marsters, Marlon Manlangit, Tui Tuakeu and Manu Priest went into the bronze medal match against Samoa a point ahead of their opponents.

After day four the Cook Islands mens team had amassed 12 points and 2 wins while Samoa had earned 11 points with 2 wins.

First up on court was the teams number 3 player Tui Tuakeu.

Tuakeu faced Jobenz Manoa who won the 1st game before Tuakeu came back to take out the 2nd.

Manoa took out the 3rd game and in the final game between the two players the match drew at 10-all before Manoa landed one more shot to win the game 3-2.

Number 2 ranked Manlangit faced Chad Rankin and had a great start to his match taking out the 1st game.

Back on court for the 2nd game Rankin upped the tempo to win the next 3 games to take out the match 3-1.

The local boys then looked to number one ranked player Lyall Marsters to rack up the wins and the agile and skilful player got off to a great start winning the 1st game against Ivan Chewlit.

Chewlit took out the 2nd game and Marsters the 3rd before Chewlit clawed his way back to win the 4th game.

Marsters then methodically went about his business to win the final game and match 3-2.

The team had expected Marsters to win all his games and because he dropped two games the pressure went on to 4th ranked player Manu Priest.

The youngster played a great match but it wasnt enough to win the Cooks the bronze medal.

He needed to win all 3 games to force a count back but his opponent Jordan Chewlit won the 3 games earning Samoa the bronze medal in the mens squash teams tournament.

Gold went to New Caledonia and the silver was won by a thrilled Fijian team.

On a positive note two of the Cook Islands players have been seeded in the top 8 of the 28 person competition with Marsters earning a 5th seed ranking and Manlangit 7th heading into the singles tournament where they will be joined by Ianis Boaza and Tui Tuakeu.

Sole female player Christine Hunter will also begin her singles competition and join Marsters for the mixed doubles.

Marsters and Manlangit will fly the Cooks flag in the mens doubles competition.