THE fifth Tu Ata games have ended with spectacular head to head grand final battles over the weekend at the Ever Green Red Beach Sports Grounds.
Long time netball rivals Hale and Rove Fish Market kicked of the finals of the competition.
Rove Fish Market entered the court to defend their title with vocal performance.
They started off brightly trailing Hale 3- 1 in the first quarter but Hale grouped in the second quarter and closed the gap to 5-6.
In the third quarter the score was locked at 9-9 so as the final quarter of the grand final regulated time, both teams ended the match 13-13.
However, Hale’s wounded heart from their two defeats in 2015, 2016 grand finals was healed in the additional two quarters of the extra time after narrowly leading the defending champions.
Hale led the defending champions 17-15 in the first additional quarter and later stamped their hands higher with only a goal difference in the final additional quarter.
The final score was 19-18 in favour of Hale to claim a trophy and $4000 cash.
The grand final of the men’s volleyball teams between Hale and Kivikivi B was a thriller.
It was an amazing nail biting clash between the finalists and their supporters.
Kivikivi won the first set from the three sets final, but Hale responded in the second set to level the score on 1-1.
Unfortunately Hale could not withstand Kivikivi in the final set that allowed them to snatch a trophy and $3000 cash.
In women’s volleyball Tenaru Sakid Blue defeated Hale in their grand final and went home $3000 richer plus a trophy.
In football, it was an in house final for Twins Warriors and Twins Red. Despite both teams are under one management it was not an easy final for them.
Both teams gave all their best in the final but Twins Red was lucky to score their winning goal just before full time of the three minutes additional time after the score was leveled 3-3 in regulated time.
The final score was 4-3 in favour of Twins Red who walked home with $4000 cash and a trophy.
For dart competition, Jeffery Pasio was the crown champions.
There number of consolation prizes being given out during the tourney.
Pasio said this year’s games have been very competitive compared to the previous games.
“I think this year’s games are very tough compared to our previous games,’’ he said.
“Generally, our levels of performance in each sport are very impressive,’’ he said.
He also stressed there’s few areas that needs improvement.
“I think we need to organise coaching clinic for some of our players who need to improve and learn about update rules and regulations in specific sports,’’
Meanwhile, athletes and supporters really enjoyed the three days event and has acknowledged the Patron of the Tu Ata games Mr and Mrs Robert Sisilo for sponsoring the event for them.
By CROFTON UTUKANA
