By BVI Platinum
Photo: Provided
Hard hitting tackles were many during the opening of the first full contact three-team rugby league at Capoons Bay which saw a dominant performance by the East End Entertainers.
Despite a late start due to the lights being switched off, players and fans congregated to witness the history start to the 10-a-side league on Friday, July 3. The East Enders finished the first week unbeaten 2-0, defeating the Central Cockerels, 69-12 and the West End Warriors, 38-17.
However, the Central team pounded out a 22-12 victory in the opening game.
“It was a good start for us,” said East End captain, Donovan Staples. “We had about 800 spectators in attendance so we had to put on a good show for East End. We are playing for territorial bragging rights so we had to represent East End massive. We defended well and countered well through ball movement. Tonight we had no substitute and that is something we need to change going forward so our players can get some rest,”
Rugby Development Officer, Sherlock ‘Solo’ Solomon told BVI Platinum News that he is very pleased to have the league start in the BVI. “This is where we needed to go in the BVI to establish ourselves as a full member of the International Rugby Board. We know for sure on the island we have lots of folks who want to play, but in the IRB competition you have to have lived on the island for three years before you can play for the national team. Having said that, there are a number of persons who come on the island for short a period and sometimes longer periods, who want to play contact rugby,” Solomon said.
He went on to state that he is very pleased with the support for the league. “We saw a high standard of rugby and a number of under-19s. Some guys who have been coming to practice with the national team, who did not make the cut, got an opportunity to run on the field and participate in a real-game situation,” Solomon said.
