...prepares for Guyana play-off decider
T&T’s senior men’s rugby team made a convincing start to its North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (Nacra) South Championship, on Saturday, easing past host team Barbados, 44-7.
At the Garrison Savannah, T&T secured the win by a margin wide enough for the Calypso Warriors to earn a bonus point and to leapfrog Guyana in the one-round three-team standings on points-difference. Guyana opened the championship on March 7 with a comfortable 48-22 home win over Barbados.
The Warriors’ win on Saturday put them in the familiar situation of playing Guyana, its bitter rival, to determine the team that advances to the winner of the North Zone Championship. That match will take place in Port-of-Spain on April 11.
T&T got off to a flying start with early tries from winger Anderson Joseph and prop Ernest Wright. Closer to the end of the half, Akiel Smith scored another T&T try, which was converted by Felician Guerra.
Barbados then returned fire through teenaged scrum-half Mikyle Walcott, who scored a converted try, completed by Kevin Carter, to close the half at 19-7, in T&T’s favour.
The second period was returned with an even more dominant and physical performance from the away team. Joseph doubled up with another try, while Joseph Quashie and flanker Jesse Richards added a single and pair of tries, respectively. The match then blew off soon after Shakir Flemming scored the final try for T&T.
Either T&T or Guyana will play either Mexico or Cayman Islands in the final.
Mexico and Cayman Islands are both on three points after one match with both having won their openers against USA South, 50-25 and 25-24, respectively. They will also meet to determine the North Zone Championship winner on April 11, the same day the South Zone Championship winner will de decided.
Standings
Teams Pld W D L F A B Pts
T&T 1 1 0 0 44 7 1 3
Guyana 1 1 0 0 48 22 1 3
Barbados 2 0 0 2 29 92 0 0