Fiji have begun the defence of their Pacific Netball Series title with a hard-fought 59-45 victory over Papua New Guinea in Apia Tuesday.
The Pearls have won the past three Pacific tournaments but were made to work hard by the rebuilding Pepes, who need a strong tournament to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next year's Commonwealth Games.
Meanwhile host nation Samoa held off a final quarter rally from the Cook Islands to win the evening game 48-46, having been up by six goals with just over five minutes to play.
The tournament continues today with Samoa taking on PNG before Fiji face the Cook Islands.
