Stag Trinidad Northern advanced to the final of the T&T Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) Marcus Minshall Cup after defeating Harvard 27-26 in a tight encounter on Saturday. In the other semi-final, Caribs had a comfotable 47-20 win over Royalians. Both matches were played simultaneously at the Queens Park Savannah. Northern were ahead within 10 minutes through Michael Augustus’ try. Harvard responded through Carlton St Clair whose try was converted by Jerome O’Brien for a 7-5 lead which they extended when O’Brien craftily chipped the ball over a Northern player and scored himself. He then converted. Brad Soulette slipped through Harvard’s defence to score in the 22nd minute and Northern took the lead when Ryan Fredericks scored a try.
Just when Harvard regained the lead from an Aaron Rocke try, Ronald Mayers scored and his effort was subsequently converted to make it 22-19 in favour of Northern at the half. The second half was much tighter with neither team finding a breakthrough as easily as in the first half. However, with 20 minutes left, Tariq Cheekes left out the Northern defence to score between the posts. His try was converted by O’Brien. In the closing minutes both teams enjoyed the lead but Northern managed to push over until the ball was beyond the line, giving the team the one point lead at 27-26. James Phillip scored two tries while Kelson Figaro and Felician Guerra one each for Royalians.
Results
Northern 27 vs Harvard 26
Caribs 46 vs Royalians 20
Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By Andrew Gioannetti