Round 4 of the 2024 Rarotonga Football Season wrapped up with intense competition across all divisions, showcasing a mix of dominant performances and nail-biting finishes.
In the feature match, Tupapa Maraerenga’s Premier Men continued their strong run with a commanding 5-0 win over Avatiu. The defending champions took control early, with Grover Harmon opening the scoring. Avi Enoka added the second, and Marcus Gibbens struck just before halftime to send Tupapa into the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead. Avatiu’s goalkeeper Luke Vidovi was instrumental in keeping the scoreline from getting out of hand, making several crucial saves despite the relentless pressure from Tupapa’s attack.
In the second half, Avatiu showed more fight, with their midfielders Tione Nand and Joseph Crocombe delivering well-placed balls to left winger Andrew Teena. Teena’s used his blistering pace to exploit space down the flank, catching Tupapa’s right back off guard on multiple occasions. Teena’s runs sparked some promising attacks for Avatiu, but they couldn’t capitalize in front of goal. Tupapa, however, maintained their composure and added two more goals—one from Henry McKenzie and the other from Tahitoa Webb, who made his season debut and celebrated with his first goal. The 5-0 scoreline underscored Tupapa’s clinical finishing and depth, as they continue to set the pace this season.
Over at Nikao Field, the Premier Men’s clash between Nikao Sokattak and Puaikura ended in a high-scoring 4-3 victory for Puaikura. It was a match filled with end-to-end action, as Puaikura’s attacking unit led by Dwayne Tiputoa, scoring all four goals, and their strikers Tepa Tuaputa and Akiona Tairi proved too much for Nikao’s defense. Nikao put up a strong fight, keeping the pressure on with goals of their own, but Puaikura’s ability to capitalize on key moments was decisive. The victory helps Puaikura recover from their earlier setbacks and keep pace with the top teams, while Nikao will be reflecting on missed opportunities in a match where they showed plenty of determination.
Last week Friday, Matavera-Ngatangiia’s Premier Men secured their third win of the season with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Titikaveka. Both teams showed resilience, battling to control the pace of the match. Matavera created several chances, but Titikaveka’s young goalkeeper, Tunui Tunui, made key stops to keep his side in the game. Despite this, Matavera’s experience shone through as they capitalized on critical moments. Titikaveka, on the other hand, had numerous opportunities at goal but couldn’t convert them. This win highlights the growing confidence within Matavera’s camp as they continue to blend youthful energy with experienced leadership, steadily gaining momentum this season.
In another Senior Women’s match, Avatiu secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Tupapa Maraerenga. The match was a tightly contested affair, with Avatiu’s defense holding firm against a determined Tupapa attack. Avatiu’s winning goal, by Georgia Hickes came in the second half with 15 minutes remaining on the clock. Despite consistent pressure from Tupapa in the final minutes, Avatiu’s goalkeeper stood tall with a series of saves. The win gives Avatiu a much-needed confidence boost as they recover from recent challenges, while Tupapa will be looking to refine their finishing after missing several opportunities to equalize.
Meanwhile, the Puaikura Senior Women’s team sent a strong message to the competition with a dominant 7-1 victory over Nikao Sokattak, with Puaikura’s Victoria Fatiaki scoring 5 goals,m with Pekarau Mataio and Teupoko Tuariki scoring one a piece, and Nikao’s Mavis Makara scoring thei one goal. Puaikura set the tone early, applying relentless pressure that saw them take control of the game from the start. Their combination plays and clinical finishing proved too much for Nikao’s defense, which struggled to keep up with Puaikura’s quick transitions and sharp movement in the final third.
Last Thursday’s Senior Women’s match between Matavera-Ngatangiia and Titikaveka ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Both teams showed plenty of tenacity, with Titikaveka’s organized backline keeping Matavera’s forwards at bay for most of the match. Matavera, however, found a way through with a well-taken goal late in the second half, only for Titikaveka to quickly respond and level the score. The draw highlights the balanced competition between these sides, who are both steadily improving as the season progresses.
As the season progresses, the matches are becoming increasingly competitive, with teams looking to establish themselves in their respective divisions.
Full results for Round 4 are as follows:
