By VINO

After a long hot day, it was “mission complete” for the Seventh- day Adventist Primary School as they successfully defended their BVI Rugby Association Tag Rugby title on Friday June 5, 2015 at the Old Recreation Ground in Road Town.

The final itself was a terse, tense affair with neither SDA nor their opponent Cedar “A” prepared to cede ground to the other in a mid field battle for supremacy.

Cedar School made the first breakthrough in the second half, but undeterred the SDA team kept going and got their reward when a slick move resulted in the equaliser. However, the score remained tied up until the final whistle and it wasn’t until deep into extra time that SDA scored the “golden try” to run out 2-1 winners.

Describing the winning moment, SDA captain, Keon Sampson was also full of praise for his team’s effort. “Everyone was playing good, but the winner, everyone was saying send the ball out wide, but I told the player who was tapping the ball to restart, just pass the ball to me. I faked a pass and then changed direction to give the ball to Isaiah Rhymer, who twisted, broke past a couple of them and scored the winner. It was awesome!”

SDA Coach, Melvin Knight was also a happy man. “When we started the day it wasn’t going so well, so I told them they had to play together and as a team. They listened and began holding a tight defensive line, well spread out across the field and then when they got their chance attacked quickly. In the end it was mission accomplished.”

Six teams began the day with the SDA commanding Group A, reaching the semi finals unbeaten, whilst in Group B, it was Cedar “B” finishing in pole position, having seen off the challenge from Enis Adams and Ivan Dawson Schools.

Francis Lettsome Primary almost caused upsets in the first Group “A” games with a 1-1 draw against Cedar and then suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat by SDA, but then SDA showed their intent to retain the Championship with a 4-2 mauling of Cedar “A”.

In Group “B”, Cedar B recorded a massive 10-2 victory over Enis Adams and a 3-0 win over Ivan Dawson.

The semi final clash between Cedar “A” and Cedar “B” also proved exciting as the school mates battled for at least bragging rights and when the dust all settled it was the “A’s” who moved on courtesy of a 3-2 win. However, the strength sapping heat and energy expended had the team looking ragged as they then wilted towards the end of the fateful final.

Rugby Association Youth Development Officer, Sherlock Sam “Solo” Solomon, put on another well organised event, despite a lack of obvious physical support from the Association, but with those who did help, Simon Knight and a few U19 Rugby players, the primary school teams were able to have a lot of fun, whilst playing some very competitive games and making some new friends.

“The day was rewarding as from the offset I noticed that the skill levels have gone up and the style of play is now suggesting that we should play only seven a side and not ten, to give them more room to express themselves further. SDA have been playing regularly and are really committed. Most of the team is in the same class at school and they have obviously worked hard to come here today and defend their title,” Mr Soloman stated.

By BVIPlatinum

A 23-member rugby squad will leave the Virgin Islands on Friday for St. Vincent and the Grenadines where they must win to stay in contention in the 2015 North American Caribbean Rugby Association’s 15s tournament.

With a victory in the bag against St. Lucia in February, the BVI knows that they can’t afford a loss or a tie in Saturday’s game at the Arnos Vale grounds at 3:00 pm.

The South Zone Cup features an interesting battle among four teams as both St. Vincent and Curacao have beaten St. Lucia. However, the St. Vincent and Curacao encounter produced a draw.

Head coach, Sherlock ‘Solo’ Solomon told BVI Platinum News that St. Vincent is a familiar opponent. In the 2013 tournament, the BVI beat St. Vincent at home, but St. Vincent returned the favour last year at the A. O. Shirley Recreation grounds.

“We need to win the game to stay ahead in this group,” Solomon stated.

The team features Adebola Haffner, Andre Adams, Damion Brown, Roan Thornton, Thomas Chapman, Vivieon Harry, Kareen Ettienne, Eugene Maduro, Victor Amparo, Elton Pena, Garrenth Jardine, Colin McDonald, Andrew Simmonds, Joseph Smith, Rory Thornton, Austin Keil, Franklyn Victor, Andrew Skeets, Rory Greenam, Donovan Staple, Tavod Morgan, Joash Victor and Mohamed Said.

Simon Knight has been selected as Manager.

According to Solomon, the team is showing some depth as there has been five changes in the squad that won in St. Lucia in February. He spoke about the return of Rory Thornton from England, Keil, the inclusion of Skeets, the addition of two youth under 19 players and the return of former captain Donovan Staple.

The team will be without forwards Federico Zacari, Shamari Spencer and Jevon Thompson, all due to work commitments.

According to Solomon, the team includes 8 under-19 players and it is good to see the youngsters stepping up and making an impact in the team.

“A loss or draw would make the last game very interesting and we don’t want to take any chances so we have to win. St. Vincent is tough assignment and they have been playing good. We have to stay confident and stay ahead of the game. We have a strong backline and and forwards have been looking promising led by Adams, Etenne and Roan Thornton, and Rory is the just returning from England and has made himself available for the game, so I like our team’s chances of returning home with the victory,” Solomon explained.

He said that preparations have been hampered by the lack of proper facilities since the team has been forced to use the Baugher’s Bay field due to ongoing works at the A. O. Shirley Recreation grounds.

“The Recreation Trust has done well to keep the ground low and nice, but there are no flood lights which means that we have to finish practice early. Despite the challenges, the turnout by players has been good. We just a few things to work on before the game,” Solomon said.

Curacao moved to the top of the NACRA Championships 2015 South Zone Cup League table with a 36-19 win over St Lucia at the Mindoo Phillip Park in Castries, St Lucia.

The next fixture will take place on April 18 at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, St Vincent when St Vincent & The Grenadines meets the BVI for a critical match in the NACRA Leagues.

NACRA Championships 2015

Results:

North Zone Championship League
Cayman Islands 3 -24 Mexico
USA South 25-50 Mexico
USA South 24-25 Cayman Islands

North Zone Cup League
Turks and Caicos Islands 3-55 Bermuda
Bahamas 21-15 Bermuda
Fixtures
18/04: Turks and Caicos Islands v Bahamas

South Zone Championship League
Trinidad & Tobago 22-20 Guyana
Barbados 22-48 Guyana
Barbados 7-44 Trinidad and Tobago

South Zone Cup League
St Lucia 19-36 Curacao
St Lucia 14 – 22 British Virgin Islands
St Vincent & The Grenadines 24-24 Curacao
St Lucia 16-18 St Vincent & The Grenadines

Fixtures
18/04: St Vincent & The Grenadines v BVI

The winner of the South Zone Cup League will play the bottom team of the South Championship League (Barbados) for a shot at promotion to the Championships

By BVI Platinum

The BVI national squad returned home from St Lucia as winners against St. Lucia with a score of 22 – 14 in their first match of the 2015 North American Caribbean Rugby Association’s 15s. The game was played at the Mindoo Phillip Park, Castries, St Lucia on Saturday.

Tightly contested describes the first half of the game with the BVI enjoying a slim 7-10 halftime lead. Unlike last year’s tournament where the BVI surrendered a 10-point half time lead to St. Lucia, this year, the home side was corrected their mistakes, partly due to the team’s improved fitness.

St. Lucia surged late in the second half, but the BVI’s defense withstood the pressure and allowed just seven more points while adding 12 more points to settle the final score 22-14.

The BVI, St. Lucia, along with St. Vincent and Curacao are playing for the South Zone Cup. The next challenge for the BVI is St. Vincent.

Against St. Lucia, the BVI squad was bolstered by the availability of Nicolas Recondo and Federico Zacari. Some seven players have come through the under-19 youth training program introduced some years ago under the leadership of national coach, Sherlock ‘Solo’ Solomon.

The BVI was eager to take the field to extract revenge after losing a 10 point second half advantage then surrendered the game 29-18 to St. Lucia at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds during last year’s tournament.

In December, the BVI faced St. Lucia in the North America Caribbean Rugby Association’s (NACA) 7s tournament in Mexico City, Mexico and won, 35-14.

Solomon had told BVI Platinum News that this year’s squad has undergone intense training and fitness, including participation in beach rugby tournaments. He expressed the view that the youth players continue to grow and improve steadily and St. Lucia would be a true test of the young squad.

Full Squad

Adebola Haffner, Andre Adams, Burt Woodley, Damion Brown, Jevon Thompson, Roan Thornton, Thomas Chapman, Vivieon Harry, Robert Christie, Shamarie Spencer, Kareen Ettienne, Eugene Maduro, Noel Maxwell, Victor Umparo, Kenrich Thomas, Garreth Jardine, Colin McDonald, Andrew Simmonds, Joseph Smith, Franklyn Victor, Rory Greenam, Federico Zacari, Tarod Morgan and Nicolas Recondo.

 

By: BVIplatinum.com

A string of tough losses and lots of lessons to take away as the VI national squad concluded the North America Caribbean Rugby Association’s (NACRA) 7s tournament held December 3 -4 in Mexico City, Mexico.

On the second and final day of the tournament, Pool B teams, BVI and Barbados clashed in the quarterfinals, but despite some good opportunities, the BVI squad lost the encounter, 38-0. Despite the final score, the BVI showed a bit of improvement on the score of their very first game of the tournament which they lost to  Barbados, 69-0.

The loss against Barbados pushed the BVI into the plate section of the tournament where they faced Jamaica and while they managed to put points on the score sheet, Jamaica won, 43-14.

In their third game of the final day, the BVI faced a determined Bermuda squad. The final score was 33-0.

In the final analysis, the BVI team started preparations for the tournament in September. With several senior players unavailable for selection, including national captain, Donovan Staples, several players from the under-19 program were given an opportunity to play at a competitive level.

Head coach, Sherlock ‘Solo’ Solomon will have plenty of notes from the tournament to sift through as the BVI searches for improved performances at the regional level.

Guyana & Mexico Are Champs

While Mexico’s men’s and women’s teams both booked Cup Final spots in their respective divisions, it was the women who prevailed over Trinidad and Tobago to book a spot to Toronto and the 2015 Pan Am games.

Mexico’s women looked sharp in a one-sided 40-5 win.

The men appeared to have things under control, leading 21-7 at one point before Guyana showed the resolve and belief in themselves to score a penalty try with under a minute left to take the lead 33-28.

Guyana scored 26 points in its comeback, leaving the pro-Serpiente crowd shell shocked as they watched a nearly one minute discussion between the referees and assistant referees before the indication of a penalty try was given. Guyana absorbed the ensuing kick-off and kicked the ball into touch to take the win.

Ryan Gonsalves, Captain of the Guyanese team, said he and his teammates have a lot of belief in their ability to overcome adversity. “We have had this happen in 15s as well,” he said after the match. “We just stay calm and keep doing the right things and get back into the game.”

Rosie Riviera, Captain of the Mexican women’s team was beaming following the win. “To do this in front of our fans, our friends, our family is so amazing,” she said, adding, “This win was for everyone.”

Other women’s action saw Jamaica claim the Plate Final with a 12-5 win over St. Lucia.

In men’s action, Barbados finished the tournament in third place with a 17-14 win over Trinidad and Tobago.

The Plate Final saw Cayman Islands double up on Jamaica 22-11.

Both the finalists on the men’s side booked spots to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am games next July.