Three times for the Sevens ladies

By Floyd Christie

It was described by International Rugby Board (iRB) Regional General Manager, Tom Jones as the best game of rugby he has seen in years.

Guyana’s Carren Skeete (With ball) is mauled by Trinidadian defenders during yesterday’s final at the National Stadium, Providence (Orlando Charles Photo)

That sentiment was apparently shared by the ecstatic Guyanese supporters who witnessed the national women’s rugby Sevens team retain their North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Championship.

Those in attendance at the National Stadium, Providence yesterday did not give up hope and placed all their faith in the Guyanese women who finally rewarded their fans when they came from behind to steal a last minute 12-10 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the final of the NACRA championships.

The women’s Sevens final was a replica of last year’s NACRA men’s final, which was won by the Guyanese men 12-10 and after the local ladies disposed of St. Lucia 21-0 in the semi finals, the finals showdown was highly anticipated with Trinidad and Tobago, who edged Jamaica in their semi finals match 12-7. The Guyana/Trinidad rivalry was reignited agin and the tournament reached boiling point when the two nations met on centre field.

This time it was the Trinidad and Tobago team who were riding the victory wagon, but only up until the final seconds of the game.

With their spirited fans motivating them on even as they were down 10-7, Guyana’s Collette Hope scored the try of a lifetime when she penetrated her opponent’s defensive wall as the referee glanced at his watch for a time check.

“We knew we had to come from behind and despite all the ups and downs we stuck to our game plan because we knew we had to win” Hope related to Stabroek Sport following the game.

Guyana’s female rugby Seven’s team poses with their medals and NACRA Championship plaque after winning yesterday’s finals at the National Stadium, Providence. (Orlando Charles Photo)

“We knew we were good enough to come back in the game” she added.

Looking like they meant business, Trinidad and Tobago silenced the Guyanese crowd when they breached the host team’s try-line twice in quick succession early in the first half.

But, coming out of the half-time break, Guyana’s Nikita Davis’ first try which was converted by Hope injected some life into the team and they continually attacked the Trinidadian try-line thus forth.

Hope struck again with her eventual game winning try, leveling the teams on 12 points and setting up the conversion attempt for teammate Andrea Lashley at a comfortable position in front of the goal posts. Lashley made no mistake in putting the ball between the posts and give Guyana the lead in what was eventually the final play of the day as the referees whistle immediately followed.

Guyana’s rugby Sevens captain, Sabiola Gray was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament which saw the national ladies claiming the NACRA Championship for the third year in succession.