Samoan beat Cook Islands 7-4 to win the second touch rugby gold medal for the host at the South Pacific Games on Thursday.

 

After two-day competition, the Samoans and the Cook Islanders earned final spots to vie for the touch mix team title. It is the first time the Samoa mix team make it to the final.

 

The Samoan boys and girls strove again and again to the yells and applause of the local fans in Apia Park stadium.

 

Cook Islanders, who won a medal in the women's competition two days ago, tried their best but failed to surpass the tough host team and lost with just one point.

 

Samoa men's team has won a medal for the country, which is now in second place in the medals tally.

 

Niue and Papua New Guinea (PNG) were both defeated in the semifinals. PNG took the bronze.

 

Fiji and Tahiti are still vying for 5th place.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2007)