The Premier Men’s clash on Friday between Puaikura and Tupapa Maraerenga was a hard-fought battle, with both sides struggling to find a way through the congested midfield, forcing play out wide. Puaikura drew first blood, with Daniel Taokia coolly slotting home a penalty. In the second half, Tupapa Maraerenga hit back with an equalizer from Grover Harmon, resulting in a 1-1 stalemate.
At Takitumu School grounds, Matavera-Ngatangiia played host to Avatiu in a fiercely contested encounter. Matavera ran out 3-0 winners, with their midfielders finding it tough to break down Avatiu’s defense. Instead, they exploited the flanks, leading to a brace from Alphy Ngire and a goal from Paul Poila. Despite Avatiu’s attempts to hit back, Matavera’s shot stopper stood tall, keeping a clean sheet.
Meanwhile, down in Nikao, Titikaveka cruised to a 4-1 victory over Nikao Sokattak. The goals flowed for Titikaveka, with Ioane Moore, Eddie Matenga, Navin Reddy, and Temarii Jubilee all getting on the scoresheet. Nikao Sokattak managed to pull one back through Owenne Matapo, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
In the Senior Women’s division, Puaikura and Tupapa Maraerenga locked horns at the CIFA Complex. The rivalry between these two sides was on full display, with Tupapa dominating possession and creating a flurry of chances. However, Tupapa’s defense held firm until Pekarau Mataio broke the deadlock with a composed finish. Tupapa’s Adriana Hauser then delivered a pinpoint pass to Jan-Marie Taia, who slotted home the equalizer, ensuring the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Elsewhere, Matavera and Avatiu went toe-to-toe in a tit-for-tat affair. Matavera took the lead through a powerful strike from Kimberly Uini, but Avatiu responded with an equalizer from Paeru Nagroi. In another match, Nikao Sokattak found themselves outpaced by Titikaveka’s Hanna Sivo, who bagged a hat-trick to secure a 3-0 victory for her side.
Round 3 of the Youth and Mix Division matches saw plenty of action, with several high-scoring encounters highlighting the raw talent on display. In the U18 Men’s division, Tupapa Maraerenga and Titikaveka stamped their authority with commanding wins, beating Puaikura and Nikao Sokattak 6-0 and 11-0, respectively. Avatiu’s U18 side also turned heads with a resounding 7-0 triumph over Matavera-Ngatangiia.
The U15 Boys division offered up some thrilling contests, with Puaikura and Avatiu securing important victories. Titikaveka edged out Nikao Sokattak in a nail-biter, winning 4-3. In the U15 Girls division, there was no shortage of goals as Tupapa Maraerenga, Titikaveka, and Avatiu each registered convincing wins, showcasing their firepower and dominance.
