Pacific Games

A bumper crowd turned up to watch the match with a high number of Guam supporters.

Fiji got off to a good start leading in the first quarter 17-15 but Guam bounced back in the second quarter to take the lead by 10 points at half time, 36-26.

Guam dominated the rest of the game with three pointers coming from Jesus Cruz taking Guam to 51-44 at the end of the third quarter.

Both teams put up a great challenge and entertained the crowd in the final quarter as the countdown began to full time.

Winning the toss, the Samoans went into bat first and got off to a bad start as the first 3 wickets fell in close succession for only 13 runs.

This brought to the crease, captain Regina Sela Monika Lili’i who momentarily turned their innings around smashing 30 runs.

But her dismissal brought about a batting collapse as the rest of the batting order all scored below 20 runs.

After the full 20 overs bowled, Samoa finished at 9/103.

PNG’s Tanya Ruma was phenomenal picking up 3/11 followed by Norma Ovasuru who finished with 2/8.

Tahiti, who won gold at the 2011 Games, led throughout the match.

In the first quarter, Tahiti easily scored to lead 21-12 against the weak defense by the home girls.

Tahiti maintained their lead in the second quarter, 35-25.

Defending champion Fiji and PNG are the two undefeated teams, with two more rounds to play today.

PNG’s avalanche of tries was started by Salias Gahuna from the back of a break from Captain Isreal Eliab.

Then PNG winger Bland Abavu fended off a Solomon Islands defence to score.

With the crowd chanting, PNG ran in three more tries.

Thompson Teteh (2 tries) and Ase Boas scored runaway tries to get PNG to 28-0 at the drinks break.

In the second half, PNG piled on three more tries.

Rex Yallon, Willie Minoga and Boas double for the match.

This was possible after Solomon Islands defeated Nauru late yesterday.

PNG will now take on Tahiti.

The teams are warming up for the match at the PNG Power Dome.

The crowd is building up fast to watch this match.

Tahiti took out gold at the 2011 Games.           

PNG will be banking on key players Betty Angula, Nesta Sape and Captain Marcia Muri.

They were thrashed by a highly fancied Guam side, 103-53.

Guam had height advantage, Guam showed no mercy in the first quarter 24-12.

The visitors extended their lead in the second quarter 52-24 with key shooter Jesus Cruz shooting eight 3 poiners from 10 attempts.

Rew scored the first points of the game to get the crowd up on their feet roaring as he shrugged off several defenders to score.

The Solomon Islanders responded straight away via Solly Seuika to score out wide.

A successful conversion put his team in front.

Some razzle dazzle rugby saw Rew grab his second score of the match right after the half time siren sounded. With the kick in, the score was 12-7 at the break.

The second half belonged to PNG as two more tries went to Arthur Clement and Butler Morris just on full time.

The country's sports federation says its lack of representation is down to it not having had enough time to prepare for the games, and its athletes not being available.

Tokelau's national legal advisor Lise Suveinakama says the blunder will prove a valuable lesson for the nation, which has a population of about 1400.

New Caledonia are second and Samoa and Fiji equal third on the overall medal count.

Ryan Pini's third gold medal was the pick of the home performances on a day where Para athletes and a host of smaller nations had their moment in the spotlight.

Fast swimmer Lara Grangeon set another new record in the 400m freestyle of 4:20:40 sec,  taking out gold.

The previous record was 4:28:32 sec that was also set by Lara. This was the 19th record set in this Pacific Games.

Charlotte Robin got the bronze in the 400m freestyle after clocking in at 4:41:97 sec behind silver medalist Matelita Buadromo of Fiji.

Another Games record of 1:03:50 sec in the 100m backstroke was broken by Emma Terebo of New Caledonia. Emma set a new record of 1:02:60 in this event to win gold.