Source: VINO

After a grueling day of competitive Touch Rugby action, the experienced Seventh-day Adventist School team held off a spirited challenge from the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS), 2-0, to be crowned 2017 U17 School Rugby Champions.

Four of the five schools expected turned up to the E. Walwyn Brewley Softball Park for the latest edition of the BVI Rugby Union’s Schools Festival, which includes separate days for Primary as well as U15’s. The action was fast and furious.

Despite knowing the basics of the game, but with little experience of tactics, the boys and girls from all teams came up with ploys to amaze their rivals, with quick passing, lightning speed, dazzling displays of footwork and body swerves to showcase and showboat their abilities.

In the end, though, it was the SDA School that prevailed, with a team containing many who had been involved since Primary School days.

Their opponents in the final surprised many, including St George’s and Elmore Stoutt High School. The debuting VISTS team played against SDA giving them their toughest match, albeit ending in defeat.

“SDA have been dominating local Schools Rugby and it wasn’t a surprise that they won all their games today and were crowned Champions. It is the first season in Rugby for the VISTS team and were a young bunch who will progress in time.  But even so, they gave SDA a good run for their money,” commented Rugby Development Coach, Sherlock “Sam” Solomon.

Solomon also made note that the day was a talent spotting occasion to build on the pool of players to represent the BVI Rugby Union at Regional Tournaments.

“We have lost a couple of guys from the U19’s and today showed there is a good bunch available to me, so I hope to get them all together on the same pitch at the same time and prepare for tournaments in the Caribbean.”

The Semi Finals had seen SDA romp to a 4-2 win over ESHS and VISTS outplay St George’s in sudden death extra time, 2-1.