PNG men’s, women’s touch sides dominate

PAPUA New Guinea dominated the opening day of touch at the Pacific Games in Samoa, winning all their men’s and women’s games.
The men’s team beat Tonga 21-3, the Solomon Islands 15-2 and Cook Islands 7-3.
The women’s team won 30-1 against the Solomons; 20-0 against Tonga; and 8-0 against host nation Samoa.
The majority of the PNG men’s team arrived in Samoa only the night before competition began and were recovering from jet lag, their coach said.
PNG men’s coach Paul Kasisi said the players were tired, but managed to push through with confidence and came out on top today.
As the first of six days of touch got under way, he said he was “honoured to be representing my country and my family at the Games”.
He’ll be hoping to add to his country’s tally of 40 medals, including 10 gold, at the Games.
Cook Islands, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa and Tokelau are all competing, with Tokelau being the only country not to field a women’s or mixed team.
Cook Islands women’s player Kura Moeka’a she said she was proud of her players today, describing the day as a “great performance”.
Although it was a shaky start as the team had just landed in Samoa the day before, they managed to beat Tonga 12-3 and drew their second game against Fiji 5-5.
– gamesnewsservice