Football supporters filled CIFA’s grandstands on Friday, for the Tower Insurance premier men’s decider match between Nikao Sokattak and Tupapa Maraerenga, waiting to see who will be taking home the Round Cup Trophy.

It was clear from the second the whistle blew that Tupapa was hungry for the win, but Nikao wasn’t going to let them off easily in the crucial match.

The first half had both sides hassling each other for the ball with consistent steals and hard defending on both ends. Nikao forwards Julius David and Toru Mateariki made it a challenge for Tupapa’s Dave Milanovic and John Noovao to keep them away from the goal, as these two went hard to get the goals.

Both teams were locked at nil-all at the break.

Tupapa’s Maru Tearaitoa had a good chance of scoring the opener in a one on one with Nikao’s intimidating goalkeeper, a quick reaction sent the ball flying over the goal, and the game continued as anyone’s take.

With ticking away, Nikao knew they needed to keep their defense sharp and take as many shots at the goal as possible, if they were going to claim the much-needed win.

Their relentless effort paid off when Nikao’s Hugh Henry weaved his way through Tupapa’s backline launching Nikao’s winning goal to beat Tupapa 1-0 and claim the champion’s title.

At CIFA Complex on Saturday, Puaikura and Matavera left the field with a 2-all draw, while Avatiu has yet to play their match against Titikaveka.

Tupapa Maraerenga women came out victorious in their match against Nikao Sokattak on Thursday, in the Islander women division.

Gaining their first goal in the first half and second 20 minutes before the end of the match, a shot taken on the left side of the field by Claudean Robati slipped straight through the stopper’s grips, marking their first goal.

Nikao’s Poko Tangata and Harriet Tuara were hard at work trying to prevent any black and white from getting near their goal, but with a free kick just outside of Nikao’s goal, Tupapa’s Elizabeth Harmon and Kuramaeva Tare combined well, with Harmon finding a gap and scoring to win 2-0.

Puaikura won their game against Matavera 1-0, while Avatiu and Titikaveka are still awaiting their game day.

• CIFA Media

Results

U6 Mix: Titikaveka FC vs Puaikura FC: 9-2, Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Matavera FC: 1-2; Nikao Sokattak FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC: U8 Mix: 2-2, U10 Mix: 1-2, U12 Mix: 3-0, U15 Boys: 1-1, U15 Girls: 0-0, U18 Men: 0-1, Senior Women: 0-2, Premier Men: 1-0. Puaikura FC vs Matavera FC: U8 Mix: 0-2, U10 Mix: 1-0, U12 Mix: 2-1, U15 Girls: 2-0, U15 Boys: 0-13, Senior Women: 1-0, Premier Men: 2-2; Avatiu FC vs Titikaveka: U8 Mix: 2-0, U10 Mix: 8-0, U12 Mix: 0-0, U15 Boys: 2-0, U15 Girls: 3-4, U18 Men: 3-1, Senior Women: TBC, Premier Men: TBC.