Avatiu premier side won the much-anticipated top of the table clash in the Rarotonga Netball Club competition on Saturday to emerge the hot favourites in the weekly games which heads into knockouts this week.

In an exhilarating day for netball enthusiasts, last round of preliminary games witnessed a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash between Avatiu and Titikaveka.

The match captivated spectators with an intense battle on Avatiu court. The home side won 52-36.

Avatiu showcased their wealth of experience with players like Curly Taripo, Mati Toru, and Rochelle Teiri, who dominated the attacking end, leaving Titikaveka’s defence struggling to contain their relentless pressure.

Young prodigy Nicol Tiaore of Avatiu proved to be a force to be reckoned with on the court, frequently disrupting Titikaveka’s attack and nearly causing turnovers with every second centre pass.

For Titikaveka, the Matenga dominated team was led by Luciana Nicholas, who donned the wing attack bib, showing versatility from her usual defence position.

Avatiu with a dominating performance, won their other grade matches as well on Saturday.

In other games, Takuvaine premier side finally registered a win this season but the 47-44 victory over Ngatangiia did not come easy. Ngatangiia team with an average age of 16 years old were clinical in their attack with their young shooters Maihanarei Short and Maya Piakura showing great accuracy.

The Tupapa 6 and under has had a dominating round, earning them top spot in the 6U grade. Arorangi 15U also earned top spot after the round games. They will head straight into the semi-finals and will play the winner of third versus fifth match.

This week will see the Knockouts to be held tomorrow at Tupapa Dome and Nikao Sports Arena on Saturday where the top two teams will progress straight to the semi-finals and third will play fifth while the fourth placed side will take on sixth placed team. The winners then play the top two teams respectively.

Meanwhile Netball Cook Islands ran a Golf Ambrose Fundraiser on Friday, with over 25 teams taking part.

Netball Cook Islands would like to thank all six clubs, Minister of Sport Mac Mokoroa,  PJ and Munro Hockin, Raro Brewery, ANZ, BCI, Tourism Cook Islands, Pineapara, Mavis and Family, Mii and family, Arorangi League Club, Margaret and John Teiti and family, Stuart, Jenny and Family, CITC Liquor and Supermarket, Bond Store, Islander Hotel and Bar, Vodafone, Slipway, Rehab, Teauere Pareanga, Tex Mart and all our netball community for their kind donation.

Netball Cook Islands’ next fundraiser is the Beach Netball that will take place on Monday, June 5. Entry fee is $120 per team of 10. All funds will go towards the Cook Islands national netball team. Register your team at netballcookislands@gmail.com.

Results

Ngatangiia/Matavera vs Takuvaine (Host score first) – Premier Grade - 44-47, Open 2 - 27-36, 15U - 35-17, 12U - 8-21, 10U - 2-19, 8U - 12-0; Tupapa vs Arorangi – Premier Grade - 56-43, Reserves - 26-41, Open 2 - 32-15, 15U - 16-29, 12U - 17-26, 10U - 16-5, 8U - 10-3, 6U - 9-2; Avatiu vs Titikaveka – Premier Grade - 52-36, Reserves -41-24, Open 2 - 112-15, Open 1- 12-21, 15U - 34-7, 12U - 17-9, 10U - 16-3, 6U - 4-3,

Fixtures

Wednesday: Open 2 – Titikaveka vs Ngatangiia, Avatiu vs Arorangi

Saturday: Court 1 (3rd vs 5th): 6U - Avatiu vs Takuvaine, 8U - Ngatangiia vs Takuvaine, 10U - Takuvaine vs Titikaveka, 12U - Tupapa vs Avatiu, 15U - Tupapa vs Takuvaine, Prems - Tupapa vs Takuvaine. Court 2 (4th vs 6th)

10U - Arorangi vs Ngatangiia, 12U - Ngatangiia vs Titikaveka, 15U -   Ngatangiia vs Titikaveka, Prems - Arorangi vs Ngatangiia.