Match time in women’s rugby league competition will increase by 10 minutes each half when round two gets underway this afternoon.

In round one competition, each women’s match lasted 40 minutes – 20 minutes each half. But the matches in round two which starts this afternoon with table toppers Lady Panthers taking on Lady Bulldogs at Nukupure Park will last 60 minutes – 30 minutes each half.

Cook Islands Rugby League secretary and competition coordinator Franky Toa said the duration of a match was reduced in the opening round “to allow the many newbies time to adjust to the calibre of the game”.

“We have set a five year development plan for women’s rugby league in the country and this is our third year. We had to make a lot of exceptions to help the players especially the new ones to adjust and to allow a gradual development of players and women’s rugby league here,” Toa said.

After round one competition, the unbeaten Lady Panthers finished on top winning all their three matches followed by the Lady Bears with two wins. Lady Eels finished third followed by defending champions Lady Bulldogs.

Lady Panthers manager Harriet Tuara earlier said: “We are expecting a harder competition come round two now that all teams have had game time.”

“We are also conscious that match time will increase by additional 20 minute so it will be another good tester for us and we just have to prepare to stick it through to the final whistle. We have yet to execute our game plan so this is the time to do it and make sure we produce some quality rugby.”

Toa said she was impressed with the progress in the opening round.

“I have been watching few matches these last few weeks and have seen a lot of improvements. There’s still a lot more room for development and growth but for now they are meeting the minimum requirement in terms of standards.

“The level of understanding of game itself has changed and you can see that players are starting to study the game itself. In the first year a lot of coaches and managers were dictating from the sideline, players were lost, but now they have a fair idea.”

Toa commended the players – especially stay home and working mums – who stepped up to represent their village in the weekly competition.

“It shows the evolution of women and the work they do in our society. I’m looking forward to great things coming from them.”

Fixtures

Today: Nukupure Park 5pm Lady Bulldogs-Lady Panthers, Teimurimotia Park 5pm Premier Men Bulldogs-Bears. Tomorrow: Nukupure Park 11am Juniors, 1pm U14 Sea Eagles-Panthers, 2pm U14 Bears-Eels, 3pm U19 Bears-Eels, Premier Men 4.30pm Sea Eagles-Eels.