Samoa

Samoa won the toss and chose to bat but may have regretted that decision as they lost their first wicket in the first over and the wickets continued to tumble throughout.

At 5 for 23 it was going to take a big recovery for Samoa to post a defendable score and unfortunately their remaining batters were not up to the task.

Vanuatu’s bowlers shared the wickets with player of the match Tony Tamata (2/6 off 5 overs), Obed Yosef (2/1 off 0.4 oers), Stephane Sandy (2/8 off 5 overs) and William Nalisa (2/10 off 4 overs) all picking up two wickets each.

Although their final placing won’t be confirmed until the last matches for Group B on Friday, Cook Islands secured at least a second place finish in the group – enough to qualify – after Fiji and Tonga’s 0-0 draw in the opening match of the day.

The countries are Guam, Samoa and Tahiti.

Tonga was initially confirmed to host the 2019 Pacific Games but withdrew the right to host a few months ago saying the cost of hosting the event will affect the economy.

In press statement the PGC said it is delighted with this response and thanks the three countries for stepping forward with their intention to host the 2019 Pacific Games and delivering a strong vote of confidence in the importance of the Games and the benefits of hosting them.

The withdrawal means Group A will now consist of just five teams rather than six, with Tahiti being reallocated into position five, previously held by Vanuatu.

This also means that Group A will now play just two matches per day, with one team sitting out with a bye, rather than the three matches previously scheduled.

Group B remains unchanged.

Samoa is hosting the event which is being held in Apia from 5-25 August. The defending champions are New Zealand, who won the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship held in the Cook Islands last year.

The late Lockington is an upcoming goal keeper, who was part of the team to participate in the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship but withdraw prior to the team’s departure due to illness.

Her death was a big blow for the Fiji team but despite of cloud of sadness hovering over them they put their hearts for Francine.

Fiji coach Saroj Kumar said it was tough outing for the Fijian girls who were still visibly shaken by the loss of their teammate and they want to dedicate his side’s valiant performance to Lockington.

With the combined results of the 2016 and 2017 cups doubling as World Cup qualifiers, Samoa needed to at least draw with the unbeaten Fijians to overhaul Tonga and reach the tournament in Japan in two years time.

Even a bonus point in defeat might have been enough.

They led 16-14 at half time in Apia but had no answers as Fiji over-ran them in the second half.

Fiji, who secured qualification last week when they defeated Tonga 14-10, scored five tries in total, including a hat-trick to scrumhalf Henry Seniloli.

Siopili Perez says at the last general fono the new public service commissioner was asked to investigate bringing the core operation to Tokelau while maintaining a function in Apia.

Mr Perez said the commissioner is due to submit a report at the next general fono in two weeks which will outline recommendations on how to structure the administration.

The ulu said while transport and recruitment would stay in Apia, all other services would eventually move to Tokelau.

In 2016, a hugely successful U-17 women’s tournament was hosted in Cook Islands featuring nine nations of which Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu, made their debuts at this age-group. For Fiji it was an historic outing after they finished third, narrowly beating New Caledonia in the match for third place.

This year will mark the debut of American Samoa, who have never participated in this competition, and the return to this level for Solomon Islands whose last outing was in 2010 when they finished a very respectable second.

Kicking off just over a year after the 2016 OFC U-17 Championship – and only a few months after the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea – there are many familiar faces coming to Auckland this July.

Defending champions New Zealand have recruited an army of international experience for their attempt at a sixth-consecutive title including Malia Steinmetz, Grace Jale, and goalkeeper Anna Leat – who will offer senior international football experience to Gareth Turnball’s squad having already been in the mix for the New Zealand national women’s team.

The Blues region is home to about 150,000 Samoans while the team itself has a number of players with Samoan heritage, as well as head coach Tana Umaga.

"We've seen the amount of Samoan players that are playing overseas and it's good to take something back to the islands," he said.

"We saw it with obviously other teams going to Fiji and now it's Samoa's time. It will showcase what they can do and how they can cater for these big games, which is a positive," said Tana Umaga.

The family of Blues and All Black lock Patrick Tuipolotu emigrated to New Zealand from Samoa.