BVI Rugby

A BVI team entered the NACRA 7-a-side rugby championship last weekend having trained for three months to compete with Guyana, the USA South and other leading rugby teams in the region. All 15 men's teams and 11 women's who entered the tournament in Barbados were greeted by a biblical deluge of driving rain which turned the Garisson savannah into a sea of mud. The incessant rain during day 1 meant that any idea of free flowing rugby went out the window as the teams struggled with their footing and the rugby ball became a proverbial oval ball of soap.

First up for the BVI at 9am were the defending champions Guyana who were fresh from a campaign in the previous week's Pan-Am games which saw them lose to Mexico in the final. The powerful Guyanese blew away the BVI in the first half and despite the second half introduction of Andy Simmonds (much to the crowds delight) the BVI were beaten 47-0 by a fitter and more organized opponent.

In the second game against St Lucia Alex Davidson scored early in the game to give the BVI the lead and long periods of pressure meant that the BVI looked like they would win the game. However a defensive lapse in the second half let St Lucia in under the posts. Converting the try St Lucia sneaked to a win over the BVI which was a blow to team morale.

In the day's final game played in huge puddles the BVI produced a great first half against a naïve but physical Curacao side with Davidson again scoring. The eccentric French referee then disallowed a perfectly good try from Jacques Roux. Tiring in the second half strong running from Curacao resulted in two tries which were the result of poor defensive alignment and missed tackles. Having been in a position to win two games the BVI found themselves bottom of the group, due to a mix of defensive inexperience and bizarre refereeing. Immense credit should go to Davidson, Copland, Roux and Franklyn who did a great deal to carry the rest of the team on day 1.

As the storms continued for much of Saturday night it was debatable whether play would go ahead on day 2 so the BVI decided to get back to doing what it does best and went on the lash...

Credit to Coach Solo who not only managed to get all the boys in bed for 11.30pm but also managed to drag a team back to the Savannah swamp for 9am for the BVIs first match against Barbados.

The BVI started strongly with Franklyn working a great try before Barbados leveled. Further tries from Nic Recondo and a well worked try in the corner from Tom Chapman gave the BVI a 17-5 lead which despite late Barbados pressure the BVI clung on to for a memorable 17-10 win avenging defeat in the 15s earlier in the year. The BVI tackled well for most of the game against a larger and faster Barbados side with Roux making two try saving tackles late in the half. Pleasingly it seemed the BVI had learnt from Day 1s mistakes.

Next up in the semi-final of the bowl was USA South who had also had a tough Day 1 losing to Cayman amongst others, a young fit USA side was out muscled at the breakdown by the BVI but had pace in abundance which led to an early score. Mid-way through the first half Franklyn had the crowd on their feet with a wonderful chip and chase from the half way line, from which he dribbled the ball through the puddles to score in the corner. As the BVI began to tire the USA ran in several tries to end the game 33-5 victors, however credit to the BVI defence for a sterling effort.

In the days final game the BVI in the 11/12th play off managed to avenge Curacao 12-5 with Roux and Franklyn scoring as well as a rare conversion for Davidson.

Last year the BVI entered the NACRA 7s for the first time in four years having previously been unable to field a team. At that tournament the BVI drew one game from 8 and lost the remainder. As such this year can be seen as a progression of sorts, we need some fresh legs out wide but have a core of players who if they work on their fitness can perform well at these championships.

AS EVER A HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE AT DIGICEL FOR ALL THEIR ASSISTANCE THIS YEAR... also thanks to our other sponsors Maples, SHRM, DHL, RTW, Captain Mulligans, BVI Olympic Committee & Dept Youth Affairs and sports.

BVI Squad; Alex Davidson, Heath Copland, Federico Zicari, Andre Adams, Andrew Simmonds, Tom Chapman, Jacques Roux, Greg Boyd, Jerome Spingette, Jimmy Peters, Victor Franklyn & Nic Recondo. Coach; Sherlock ‘Solo' Soloman. Manager; Ronan Kuczaj.

Results
Day 1
Guyana 47 BVI 0
St lucia 7 BVI 5 (try Alex Davidson)
BVI 5 Curacao 14 (try Alex Davidson)

Day 2
Barbados 10 BVI 17 (Tries; Victor Franklyn, Nic Recondo, Tom Chapman, conversion Nic Recondo)
BVI 5 (try Victor Franklyn) USA 33
Curacao 5 BVI 12 (Tries; Jacques Roux, Victor Franklyn, conversion Alex Davidson)

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