Rugby Americas North 7's - Trinidad 2016
Saturday November 12th 2016 at RAN 7's sees BVI lose to Bermuda 19 - 5. BVI played very well drawing the first blood with a try by Rory Thornton. He was unable to convert with a sliced attempt for posts. BVI executed fantastic defense to keep Bermuda down to only two tries with only a minute left to go and a scoreline of 12 - 5. In the final minute the referee called for a BVI advantage with the the boys sniffing at the line and it seemed almost certain the lads could punch one in. Unfortunately a BVI knock on awarded Bermuda a scrum which they won and took the ball all the way down field for a final try to close out the game 19 - 5. Good effort by everyone and on next to Canada.
An incredible effort by the BVI squad to hold Canada to no score for 4 minutes in the first half. Eventually the World's 13th ranked 7's squad managed to get across the line with BVI going into halftime at a respectable 19 - 0. In the 2nd half the floodgates opened and Canada managed to finish the game 59 - 0.
BVI played some great rugby to pick up a close win 17 - 12 against Turk & Caicos on Day 2 of the tournament. Scrum half Victor Amparo picked up a massive hit from the Turks front row that left him concussed. Collin McDonald took over the scrummy role and guided the team to a hard hitting victory. Big tackles all over the paddock including from speedsters Kevin Fisher and Joseph Smith kept the Turks lads from scoring get BVI the win.
A very tough match against the Dominican Republic see the BVI lads get knocked out of the Bowl Competition with close loss 12 -10. A yellow card was awarded to BVI rookie Kevin Fisher and with only 6 men on the field the BVI conceded a try in the final seconds of time to give DR the win. Another amazing effort by the whole squad and very unfortunate to lose it right at the end.
In the consolation match with Curacao both teams battled it out scoreless until the final play and with both teams emptying the tank it was Curacao that picked up the try to win 5 - 0.
An incredible effort by the BVI squad to hold Canada to no score for 4 minutes in the first half. Eventually the World's 13th ranked 7's squad managed to get across the line with BVI going into halftime at a respectable 19 - 0. In the 2nd half the floodgates opened and Canada managed to finish the game 59 - 0.
BVI played some great rugby to pick up a close win 17 - 12 against Turk & Caicos on Day 2 of the tournament. Scrum half Victor Amparo picked up a massive hit from the Turks front row that left him concussed. Collin McDonald took over the scrummy role and guided the team to a hard hitting victory. Big tackles all over the paddock including from speedsters Kevin Fisher and Joseph Smith kept the Turks lads from scoring get BVI the win.
A very tough match against the Dominican Republic see the BVI lads get knocked out of the Bowl Competition with close loss 12 -10. A yellow card was awarded to BVI rookie Kevin Fisher and with only 6 men on the field the BVI conceded a try in the final seconds of time to give DR the win. Another amazing effort by the whole squad and very unfortunate to lose it right at the end.
In the consolation match with Curacao both teams battled it out scoreless until the final play and with both teams emptying the tank it was Curacao that picked up the try to win 5 - 0.
NACRA 7's - Mexico City 2014
A string of tough losses and lots of lessons to take away as the VI national squad concluded the North America Caribbean Rugby Association’s (NACRA) 7s tournament held December 3 -4 in Mexico City, Mexico.
On the second and final day of the tournament, Pool B teams, BVI and Barbados clashed in the quarterfinals, but despite some good opportunities, the BVI squad lost the encounter, 38-0. Despite the final score, the BVI showed a bit of improvement on the score of their very first game of the tournament which they lost to Barbados, 69-0.
The loss against Barbados pushed the BVI into the plate section of the tournament where they faced Jamaica and while they managed to put points on the score sheet, Jamaica won, 43-14.
In their third game of the final day, the BVI faced a determined Bermuda squad. The final score was 33-0.
In the final analysis, the BVI team started preparations for the tournament in September. With several senior players unavailable for selection, including national captain, Donovan Staples, several players from the under-19 program were given an opportunity to play at a competitive level.
Head coach, Sherlock ‘Solo’ Solomon will have plenty of notes from the tournament to sift through as the BVI searches for improved performances at the regional level.
Guyana & Mexico Are Champs
While Mexico’s men’s and women’s teams both booked Cup Final spots in their respective divisions, it was the women who prevailed over Trinidad and Tobago to book a spot to Toronto and the 2015 Pan Am games.
Mexico’s women looked sharp in a one-sided 40-5 win.
The men appeared to have things under control, leading 21-7 at one point before Guyana showed the resolve and belief in themselves to score a penalty try with under a minute left to take the lead 33-28.
Guyana scored 26 points in its comeback, leaving the pro-Serpiente crowd shell shocked as they watched a nearly one minute discussion between the referees and assistant referees before the indication of a penalty try was given. Guyana absorbed the ensuing kick-off and kicked the ball into touch to take the win.
Ryan Gonsalves, Captain of the Guyanese team, said he and his teammates have a lot of belief in their ability to overcome adversity. “We have had this happen in 15s as well,” he said after the match. “We just stay calm and keep doing the right things and get back into the game.”
Rosie Riviera, Captain of the Mexican women’s team was beaming following the win. “To do this in front of our fans, our friends, our family is so amazing,” she said, adding, “This win was for everyone.”
Other women’s action saw Jamaica claim the Plate Final with a 12-5 win over St. Lucia.
In men’s action, Barbados finished the tournament in third place with a 17-14 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
The Plate Final saw Cayman Islands double up on Jamaica 22-11.
Both the finalists on the men’s side booked spots to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am games next July.
On the second and final day of the tournament, Pool B teams, BVI and Barbados clashed in the quarterfinals, but despite some good opportunities, the BVI squad lost the encounter, 38-0. Despite the final score, the BVI showed a bit of improvement on the score of their very first game of the tournament which they lost to Barbados, 69-0.
The loss against Barbados pushed the BVI into the plate section of the tournament where they faced Jamaica and while they managed to put points on the score sheet, Jamaica won, 43-14.
In their third game of the final day, the BVI faced a determined Bermuda squad. The final score was 33-0.
In the final analysis, the BVI team started preparations for the tournament in September. With several senior players unavailable for selection, including national captain, Donovan Staples, several players from the under-19 program were given an opportunity to play at a competitive level.
Head coach, Sherlock ‘Solo’ Solomon will have plenty of notes from the tournament to sift through as the BVI searches for improved performances at the regional level.
Guyana & Mexico Are Champs
While Mexico’s men’s and women’s teams both booked Cup Final spots in their respective divisions, it was the women who prevailed over Trinidad and Tobago to book a spot to Toronto and the 2015 Pan Am games.
Mexico’s women looked sharp in a one-sided 40-5 win.
The men appeared to have things under control, leading 21-7 at one point before Guyana showed the resolve and belief in themselves to score a penalty try with under a minute left to take the lead 33-28.
Guyana scored 26 points in its comeback, leaving the pro-Serpiente crowd shell shocked as they watched a nearly one minute discussion between the referees and assistant referees before the indication of a penalty try was given. Guyana absorbed the ensuing kick-off and kicked the ball into touch to take the win.
Ryan Gonsalves, Captain of the Guyanese team, said he and his teammates have a lot of belief in their ability to overcome adversity. “We have had this happen in 15s as well,” he said after the match. “We just stay calm and keep doing the right things and get back into the game.”
Rosie Riviera, Captain of the Mexican women’s team was beaming following the win. “To do this in front of our fans, our friends, our family is so amazing,” she said, adding, “This win was for everyone.”
Other women’s action saw Jamaica claim the Plate Final with a 12-5 win over St. Lucia.
In men’s action, Barbados finished the tournament in third place with a 17-14 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
The Plate Final saw Cayman Islands double up on Jamaica 22-11.
Both the finalists on the men’s side booked spots to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am games next July.
