World Cup overnight: Marsters runs hot; Doueihi rolls dice

The Cook Islands overcame an early scare from a valiant Wales outfit to come away with an 18-12 win at Leigh Sports Village Stadium.

After several missed opportunities early in the match, the Kukis trailed by four points at half-time before Rabbitohs teenager Davvy Moale stormed over for his second Test try to get his team back on the front foot.

Wales remain without a win in a World Cup fixture since 2000 while the win is just Cook Islands' second in the tournament’s history following 28-24 success over the same opposition in 2013.

Moale won't be stopped

Also overnight, Lebanon five-eighth Adam Doueihi has been granted an appeal after being found guilty of abusing referee Grant Atkins and suspended for one match at a judiciary hearing in Manchester.

Doueihi chose to fight the charge at a specially convened World Cup judiciary hearing on Tuesday night, which went for three hours, but was unsuccessful, with the panel accepting Atkins' version of what was said.

The main takeaways

• Wales are still waiting for their first match victory at a World Cup since 2000 after a narrow 18-12 defeat by the Cook Islands
• Wales led during the second half before two quick tries from the Kukis in the second-half
• Cook Islands winger Steven Marsters scored 10 points for his side before sustaining a knee injury in the 70th minute of the match.

Star performers

Huddersfield Giant Esan Marsters was immense in the Cook Islands' round one victory. The 26-year-old playmaker had a hand in most of the good things to come out of the Kukis' attacking line, while also standing tall in defence, producing arguably the tackle of the match on Matty Fozard in the 48th minute of the match. Marsters captained the Cook Islands and played in the halves for his side in their Pacific Test against Samoa earlier this year and will no doubt have more to prove in the rest of his World Cup campaign.

What the result means

Cook Islands round one victory brings them level at the top of Group D with Tonga. After Wales handed the Kukis an almighty scare, Tony Iro's side will need to be at their best when they face Papua New Guinea in Warrington next Wednesday if they have any hope of living to see the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Wales will need to produce a stunning upset over Mate Ma'a Tonga next week to keep their tournament alive.

Recap

• Match report: Cook Islands rally late to overcome gallant Wales
• Key injuries: Steven Marsters (knee)

Match Highlights: Wales v Cook Islands