Titikaweka Pearls win in tennis final

Titikaweka Pearls defeated Tupapa 41-30 on Thursday night to become the 2024 Cook Islands Tennis Premier League champions.

The netball final between Titikaweka Pearls and Tupapa was nothing short of thrilling, with Titikaweka ultimately winning one of the most exciting games of the season.

The match was held at the Tupapa Dome and Titikaweka started strongly thanks to the strong combination of attackman (GA) Alana Smith and shooter (GS) Maya Piakura.

Their synergy on the field was unmatched and set the tone for the rest of the game.

Defensively, Michela Matapo was a force to be reckoned with, grabbing rebounds and making interceptions, making it difficult for Tupapa to find a rhythm.

Despite a shaky start from Tupapa’s Mere-Jean Piri on the first scramble, they were able to intercept the ball and put a mark on the scoreboard.

The moment boosted their confidence, allowing Rianna Nicholas and Tassie Cope to score with pinpoint accuracy to keep the team in the game.

However, Maya Piakura suffered a concussion mid-game and was forced to sit on the bench to be evaluated.

The setback could have been devastating, but it paved the way for Titikaveka’s secret weapon: the young and talented Maihanarei Short. Short took over the GA position, while Smith moved to GS.

The combination proved to be a game changer.

Thursday’s tennis final was thrilling, with Titikaweka Pearls coming out victorious. SOLOMONE TAUKEI 24070534 / 24070535

The tall and agile Short controlled the game brilliantly, creating a chance for Smith, who took up space under the posts. At halftime, Titikaweka led by six points, 20-14.

The second half showed resilience and determination from both teams. The momentum turned in Tupapa’s favour as Liana Nicolaes used quick and deft movements to gain an advantage in the shooting circle, preventing defenders from intercepting high balls. On the defensive end, Norma Pepe and Michel-Jean Pirie formed a formidable duo, making three crucial interceptions and reducing the scoreline.

Despite Tupapa’s strong fightback, the Titikaveka Pearls were united and well organised and held their ground.

Youngster Short continued to shine, scoring from distance with ease, while Smith remained the mainstay under the posts. Their teamwork and focus gave Titikaweka a hard-earned victory.

After the game, captain Alana Smith shared her thoughts on how proud she was of her team’s performance, especially the Under-21 players who contributed to the team’s success. “This was a special win, especially for our young Under-21 players who contributed so much and worked so hard for the team,” Smith said.

Recalling the moments when the team faced pressure, she added: “When the pressure is on, we have to recalibrate, put aside everything that happened and refocus on winning the game.”

Michela Matapou, one of the best players this season, also shared her thoughts. “I’m very proud of the guys. We played until the last minute, stayed alert and didn’t let our guard down.”

“The most important thing is good communication and making sure everyone knows we have each other’s support,” she said. “Talking is the most important thing.”