The second day of the Cook Islands Rugby League Nines in Paradise tournament was cut short last night due to faulty stadium lights at Nikao.

The remaining three men’s matches from day two will be played today, with the final day of the tournament starting at 12.20pm.

In a statement issued last night, Cook Islands Rugby League said: “Due to some faulty lights at the Stadium, Day 2 will be cut short. We will end today with Women match between Lady Bears vs Raukawa Kuki. Men matches will continue tomorrow.”

Cook Islands Rugby League president Charles Carlson said the final day of tournament will start at 12.20pm to finish off the preliminary rounds and then move into the semifinals and finals.

Only four of the eight lights were working last night. On Thursday, six lights were working “but we managed to scrape through but still risky for players”.

In the women’s division, Ngati Umutahi is the only unbeaten side after drawing with Vaine Toa 4-4 on Thursday before beating Lady Bears 44-17 and Lady Panthers 10-0 yesterday.

The Lady Panthers overcame Vaine Toa 14-6 yesterday to remain in the run for a top two finish.

After day one competition where the side shocked defending champions Raukawa Kuki’s 4-0 before beating Lady Bears 21-0, Lady Panthers coach Wallace Aroita said: “We got through Day 1 and we’re quite happy with the results. None of which were easy games for us so credit to the Raukawa and Arorangi team and staff for the opportunity.”

“It was important that we looked at ourselves and maintained our focus on what we wanted to do in this tournament and that’s just how it’s been from the very beginning.

“We had built our team on values and connections. I believe we’re in great spirits and it just doesn’t bother us any more what disruptions and mishaps and challenges come our way.

“We know that we have each other and that’s all that matters for this team in this tournament.”

Results

Day 1 – 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.

Day 2 – Exhibition Maine Tueporo Black 11 Maine Tueporo White 29, U18 Avatiu Eels 39 Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles 4, U18 TKV Warriors 10 Titikaveka Bulldogs 10, Womens Lady Bears 17 Ngati Umutahi 44, Womens Lady Panthers 14 Vaine Toa 6, Mens A Ngati Umutahi 15 Arorangi Bears 20, Mens A Avatiu Eels 24 Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles 8, Mens B Tokoroa Pacific Sharks 14 Tupapa Panthers 10, U18 Avatiu Eels 18 TKV Warriors 12, U18 Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles 8 Titikaveka Bulldogs 8, 6.20pm Womens Ngati Umutahi 10 Lady Panthers 0, Womens Raukawa Kuki's 20 Lady Bears 0,

Fixtures

12.20pm Mens A Ngat/Mat Sea Eagles V Ngati Umutahi, 12.40pm Mens A Arorangi Bears V TKV Warriors, 1pm Mens B Tupapa Panthers V Nikao Roosters, 1.20pm Womens Vaine Toa V Lady Bears, 1.40pm Womens Ngati Umutahi V Raukawa Kuki’s,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, 3pm U18 finals 3^rd versus 4^th, 3.20pm U18 finals 1^st versus 2^nd, 4pm Exhibition Maine Tueporo Black V Maine Tueporo White, 4.20pm Mens Semis 1st Place Pool A V 2nd Place Pool B, 4.40pm Mens Semis 2nd Place Pool A V 1st Place Pool A, 5.00pm Womens Finals Women's 3rd Placing V Women's 4th Placing, 5.20pm Womens Finals Women's 1st Placing V Women's 2nd Placing, 5.40pm Mens Finals Men's Looser Game 35 V Men's Looser Game 36, 6pm Mens Finals