By VINO
Seventh Day Adventist captain, Keon Sampson fakes a pass to set up the winning try. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/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.
