Monday, 23th January 2012BVI sends a ladies touch team to St. Lucia
returns with two wins against a highly respected St Lucia Squad
St Lucia hosted the BVI ladies 6 a side touch team and played 2 friendly 6-a-side matches on a Saturday at the Corinth Playing Field.
The team arrived on Friday and left on Sunday afternoon and was accompanied by coaches Sherlock Solomon and Nigel Pedigroo. The weekend was filled with many first for both teams. It was the first time that the BVI team visited or even played St. Lucia and it was the first time that the St.Lucia Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Female team had played Touch Rugby.
BVI with their experience and tenacity quickly scored the first and second tries (five points each). St Lucia quickly retaliated by scoring a try of its own. The BVI side then quickly scored a further 5 points, play continued in its usually slow pace with St.Lucia trying to even out the scores. The first game ended with BVI defeating SLRFU 20-15.
St. Lucia came out with a more defensive approach in the second game and quickly scored. However their defense was broken by the BVI chicks and they saw victory snatched from their grasp in the final moments of the game. BVI defeated SLRFU in the second game 15-10.
However, there is no time to wallow in self pity .This game highlighted the weaknesses in SLRFU defense pattern and the lessons learnt will assist the team in training ,as they prepare for NACRA 7 a-side Caribbean tournament which will be held in Barbados in November.
The Members of the St Lucia team who played on Saturday were Electra Marcelle, Chantel John (Vice Captain) Sharon Bowens-Charles, Crescentia Innocent, Paulyn Eugene, Valerie Farrel, Yasmin Antoine and Vonette Victor. Absent due to illness and pressing matters were Renetta Fredericks (Captain) and Marline Cherry. The team is Managed by Wedrel "Tommy" St. Clair and coached by Jerry Charles. Referee for the match was Shaun Alcindor assisted by three line judges Lenford Eugene, Uranus ‘Mal' Denis and Sherlock Solomon of the BVI.
After the game there was a short ceremony in which the St.Lucia team shared local tokens with their Rugby Counterparts. Rowena Lawrence (captain BVI) expressed gratitude for the opportunity and extended an invitation to the SLRFU to visit the BVI.
The trip however was not all business. The BVI team was able to go on a mini tour of the island which included visiting the Market, the Castries area, Morne Fortune and of course the Rodney Bay area.
The St.Lucia Rugby Football Union would like to recognize and thank Mr. Gary St. Rose, Joel Martin and Joe Page for their usual support and assistance for the use of the Corinth playing field, and also to Mr. Colvis Samuel (president) of SLRFU for organizing the weekend.
The BVI RFU would like to thank the hosts St Lucia and look forward to teh St Lucia ladies visiting us in the BVI.
