The final day of the Cook Islands’ first ever international indoor handball competition, the IHF Trophy – Oceania, ended with Tahiti undefeated as they won the event for the second consecutive time. The team raised the trophy in 2014 after beating Australia in the final match, and in 2017 repeated the feat on August 4 against the same nation.

The last day of competition opened with Papua New Guinea defeating Cook Islands by a clear 40:19, though the match was level through the first 45 minutes before Papua New Guinea created the decisive final distance in the last quarter.

In the following game New Zealand were initially stronger than New Caledonia, playing a solid first half from which New Caledonia recovered to win the match in the second period. It took much more effort than New Caledonia may have expected to claim their final victory at the championship with a score of 32:27.

Tahiti decided the title in the last match against Australia, which they controlled from start to finish with strong defence and well-organised attack that resulted in a 32:17 win. Tahiti therefore qualify for the Intercontinental Phase of the IHF Trophy to be held in India later in the year.

On the fringe of the IHF Trophy – Oceania, the IHF also conducted successful coaching and refereeing courses for participants from all nations contesting the event. 

Photo: Jun Tanlayco