The Cook Islands took a firm grasp on this World Cup encounter at Neath outscoring the Welsh by three first-half tries to one.
Constant early pressure from Cook Islands paid dividend with hooker Daniel Fepuleai sneaking over from dummy half, Chris Taripo converting.
When the Welsh did get some possession they hit back with a smart try down the left featuring a good handling move between Elliot Kear, Rhys Evans and Rob Massam.
Ross Divorty had a try ruled out for a forward pass from Peter Lupton and then after a storming run down centrefield from Keith Lulia the Cook Island centre was in the right place to touch down when the ball was moved left.
And right on the half time whistle Isaac John stepped over with Taripo adding the conversion.
