PNG leading touch ahead of women’s semifinal

THE national women’s touch team are in the lead going into the semifinals against Fiji at the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.
PNG, with 15 points, play Fiji (10) at 10.10am (7.10am PNG time) today at St Joseph’s Field, Faleata while the Cook Islands, with 12 points, face Samoa (11) at 11am. The women’s teams from Tonga and Solomons will fight for fifth place.
Tonga coach Hoko Tuivai and manager Savelina Pale said they were proud of their players for giving it their all even though they only had six players with no substitutes.
“They have endured through all the 40-minute games with no rest. We are very proud,” they said.
The duo said they weren’t able to form a full women’s team and were only able to fly over the six players which make up their mixed team.
Tonga have done exceptionally well despite the few players.
Savelina said they appreciated the friendly encouragements and support by all the other countries and could feel the love at the Games.
They are looking forward to their match against the Solomon Islands today and are ready for the mixed event which takes place tomorrow and ends on Saturday.
In the men’s open competition, three more round-robin games are remaining.
PNG look promising as they still haven’t lost a game and Fiji, Cook Islands and Samoa are not far behind.
Cook Islands’ coach Jeff Halston was hopeful after yesterday’s wins.
“I am confident in my boys after today’s performance,” he said.
Day three of touch will begin with the last few games for the men’s teams before the fifth and sixth place palyoffs and then the bronze, silver and gold playoffs.
– gamesnewsservice