Cook Islands’ women warmed up for their Rugby League World Cup with a behind-closed-doors fixture against England Knights women. The hosts trailed at the break with Tamzin Renouf’s try being the only score for England, sandwiched between Cook Islands touchdowns for Mackenzie Wiki and Erikana Dean.

The female Kukis stretched their lead after the break with quick-fire tries from full back Wiki again and Chantay Kiria-Ratu, before Chantelle Crowl clawed one back for England, with Becky Grady kicking the sole conversion.

Kerehitina Matua’s try on debut pushed the visitors further ahead, before Erin Stott added a consolation for the visitors. The last word went to Monica Mo’ale who beat the referee’s whistle to confirm victory. 

England Knights 14
Ebony Partington, Chloe Billington, Emma Kershaw, Anna Davies, Danielle Bush, Katie Mottershead, Jasmine Earnshaw-Cudjoe, Chantelle Crowl, Sinead Peach, Jasmine Bell, Savannah Andrade, Tamzin Renouf, Lacey Owen

Subs: Becky Greenfield, Bella Sykes, Amelia Brown, Emily Baggaley, Kaitlin Hilton, Erin Stott, Mary Coleman, Becky Grady

Tries: Renouf (26), Crowl (55), Stott (71)
Goal: Grady 1

Cook Islands 24
Mackenzie Wiki, Benjamina Koiatu, Kerehitina Matua, Daimzel Rongokea, Chantay Kiria-Ratu, Karol-Ann Tanevesi, Tetuanui Dean, Monica Mo’ale, April Ngatupuna, Kennedy Harrison-Vahua, Elianna Walton, Jazmon Tupou-Witchman, Toka Natua

Subs: Alekermay Tuaana, Lavinia Kitai, Charlize-Gazelle Tumu-Makara, Tehinnah-Lael Tatuava, Mireka Dean, Anneka Stephens, Maleyna Hunapo, Terehia Matua, Erikana Dean

Tries: Wiki (6, 47), Dean (38), Kiria-Ratu (49), Matua (60), Mo’ale (79)

Half Time: 4-8