Cayman retains title

The Cayman Islands retained their North American and  West Indian Rugby Association (NAWIRA) U-19 title after defeating Mexico in the final on Saturday.
Mexico suffered a 10-point defeat (8 –18) at the hands of Cayman while Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) blew away Jamaica 21 – 0 for the third place spot.
Guyana finished sixth as they were drowned 78 – 0 by Bermuda.

In the final, an early drop goal from fly half Joel Clarke gave Cayman a 3 – 0 lead that was soon doubled by Robbie Cribb who successfully scored a penalty.

Action in the match between Guyana and Bermuda. (Photo NAWIRA website)

Mexico’s Miguel Carner narrowed the lead with a penalty as the half ended 6 – 3 in favour of the Cayman Islands.
When the second half resumed, Cribb slotted four successful penalty kicks which rocketed the home team to 18 points.
Mexico’s Pascal Nadaud then scored a consolation try for the opposition as time ran out.

In the third place showdown, scrum half Kendall Mootoo drew first blood for T&T with a penalty and Mike Augustus extended the lead with a try that was not converted as Trinidad ended the  first half with an eight point lead. Mootoo and Zane Campbell both scored penalties (14 – 0) while a John Quashire try on the final whistle which was converted by Mootoo completely stunned the hapless Jamaica side. The Bermudans made it past the Guyanese defence on numerous occasions, Lubin Sousa and Rory O’Kelly charged over the try line and both their efforts were converted by Shauntino Simons.

Olly Basset and Patrick Richardson tries with excellent conversions from Simmons stretched the lead to 28 – 0 before Brynley Toms scored a brace of tries in quick succession, one of which was converted by Simons to concluded the half with an unassailable lead of 40 – 0. O’Kelly and Basset scored their second tries while Donald Folkard, Tom Basset, Andre Landy and Mike Coles claimed their first of the match.

Simmons was able to convert four of the six tries to take Bemuda to 78 as Guyana remained on nil at the final whistle. (Kizan Brummel)