The Lady Panthers are off to a flying start in the Cook Islands Rugby League Nines in Paradise tournament, having remained undefeated on day one at the National Stadium in Nikao yesterday.

Held under wet conditions, the tournament, which will culminate with the finals tomorrow, saw some exciting matches in the women’s and men’s divisions.

In the women’s competition, Lady Panthers shocked defending champions Raukawa Kuki’s of New Zealand 4-0 before beating Lady Bears 21-0.

The side, which lost most of its key players to Vaine Toa, is coached by Wallace Aroita.

In the lead-up to the tournament, Aroita said they started their training before Christmas but faced challenges with player availability during training sessions.

“Preps been good… now putting together a team for the week. It is looking good,” Aroita told Cook Islands Rugby League.

“We were not able to get a full Tupapa team, so asked players from neighbouring villages to join. Most exciting is watching the girls put what they have learnt on the field.

“For this weekend… looking forward to representing my village and excited to see them play.”

The star-studded Vaine Toa drew their first match 4-all with New Zealand-based Ngati Umutahi before losing to Raukawa Kuki’s 8-14.

The Lady Panthers will face Vaine Toa at 4.20pm today.

In the men’s competition, defending champions Avatiu Eels made a perfect start, beating TKV Warriors 28-7. The side faced Arorangi Bears in their second match last night. The Bears defeated Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles 24-4 in their opening match.

New Zealand-based Tokoroa Pacific Sharks defeated Nikao Roosters 22-4 and Titikaveka Bulldogs shocked Tupapa Panthers 8-6.

Results

Exhibition Maine Tueporo Black V Maine Tueporo White A, Womens Lady Panthers 4 Raukawa Kuki’s 0, Womens Vaine Toa 4 Ngati Umutahi 4, Mens A Avatiu Eels 28 TKV Warriors 7, Mens A Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles 4 Arorangi Bears 24, Mens B Titikaveka Bulldogs 8 Tupapa Panthers 6, Mens B Nikao Roosters 4 Tokoroa Pacific Sharks 22, Womens Raukawa Kuki’s 14 Vaine Toa 8, 6.20pm Womens Lady Bears 0 Lady Panthers 21.

Fixtures

Today – 3.00pm Exhibition Maine Tueporo Black 8 Maine Tueporo White 19, 3.20pm U18 Avatiu Eels V Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, 3.40pm U18 TKV Warriors V Titikaveka Bulldogs, 4.00pm Womens Lady Bears V Ngati Umutahi, 4.20pm Womens Lady Panthers V Vaine Toa, 4.40pm Mens A Ngati Umutahi V Arorangi Bears, 5.00pm Mens A Avatiu Eels V Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, 5.20pm Mens B Tokoroa Pacific Sharks V Tupapa Panthers, 5.40pm U18 Avatiu Eels V TKV Warriors, 6.00pm U18 Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles V Titikaveka Bulldogs, 6.20pm Womens Ngati Umutahi V Lady Panthers, 6.40pm Womens Raukawa Kuki's V Lady Bears, 7.00pm Mens A Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles V Ngati Umutahi, 7.20pm Mens A Arorangi Bears V TKV Warriors, 7.40pm Mens B Tupapa Panthers V Nikao Roosters.

Tomorrow – 2.00pm Mens A TKV Warriors V Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, 2.20pm Mens A Ngati Umutahi V Avatiu Eels, 2.40pm Mens B Titikaveka Bulldogs V Nikao Roosters, 3.00pm Womens Vaine Toa V Lady Bears, 3.20pm Womens Ngati Umutahi V Raukawa Kuki’s, 3.40pm Mens Semis 1st Place Pool A V 2nd Place Pool B, 4.00pm Mens Semis 2nd Place Pool A V 1st Place Pool A, 4.20pm U18 Finals U18's 3rd Placing V U18's 4th Placing, 4.40pm U18 Finals U18's 1st Placing V U18's 2nd Placing, 5.00pm Exhibition Finals Maine Tueporo Black V Maine Tueporo White, 5.20pm Womens Finals Women's 3rd Placing V Women's 4th Placing, 5.40pm Womens Finals Women's 1st Placing V Women's 2nd Placing, 6.00pm Mens Finals Men's Looser Game 35 V Men's Looser Game 36, 6.20pm Mens Finals Men's Winner Game 35 V Men's Winner Game 36, 6.40pm Presentation Of Trophies and Awards.

Pools

Men’s: Pool A – Avatiu Eels, Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, Arorangi Bears, TKV Warriors, Ngati Umutahi. Pool B – Tupapa Panthers, Titikaveka Bulldogs, Nikao Roosters, Tokoroa Pacific Sharks.

Women’s Division – Raukawa Kuki’s, Lady Bears, Lady Panthers, Vaine Toa, Ngati Umutahi.

Under 18s Division – Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles, TKV Warriors, Titikaveka Bulldogs, Avatiu Eels.

Women’s Development – Maine Tueporo White, Maine Tueporo Black.