The numbers were looking good as the Cook Islands Touch Association kicked off their 2022 season on Monday.

First up was a hungry Womens Nikz team led by Didi Nicholas who were quickly upset due to the opposition not turning up, which was the Mangaia team.

There is hope the British ladies will have the numbers next week.

Straight after them was Team ATT and the Nukz Power men. 

The Nukz Power women played Bounty Hunters on field two.

Both games started off fairly slow but once a try was scored from both fields, dives started and fun was had on both sides. 

Team ATT and Nukz Power women were victors in those games.

Coming to the touch party in a number of divisions is our young Revolution men and Women’s team. 

The women played team ATT while the men played the experienced GAT team.  

There was some nice play from the Evoteam in the ladies division by Patty Taea, Maruia Willie and Harriet Tuara. 

They will use the touch season to polish up on ball skills which will help with their upcoming 13s leagues season.

They pipped team ATT while the men were unfortunate going down to the GAT team.

Some other islands have taken advantage of the touch season using it as preparation for the Cook Islands games. 

In the men's division Atiu played Palmerston. 

Both have young players with flare and skill. 

Team Atiu being led by Vou Williams were able to score more touchdowns to win this game but the men's division sure does look very competitive.

Then in the final game of the day was our ladies game between the FBI and Palmerston. 

The more experienced FBI team were able to play this game with more patience and wit since they only had one sub and came away victors.

President Juz Westrupp  said that some teams were short with numbers so if you are wanting to play some touch rugby, give her a call on mobile 55055 and she can link you with the right contacts and jump in with a team. 

She would also like to thank Vodafone Cook Islands for coming back on board sponsoring touch rugby. 

Our refs were all branded in Vodafone gear. 

She also advised that CITA is waiting on responses from another two possible sponsors.  More news on this next week.

Fixtures

Field 1 - 4.30pm Palmerston vs Team ATT - 18s, 5.00pm SAS vs Nukz Power - MARSTERS, 5.30pm Team ATT vs 007 - MIXED, 6pm Buffalo Bears vs Nukz Power - MIXED

Field 2 - 4.30pm Nukz Power vs BTIG - 18s, 5pm Manihiki vs Atiu - MARSTERS, 5.30pm GAT vs Evolution – MIXED.