Trinidad & Tobago win well
Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:07
Adam Frederick and John Wagner, the captains of Trinidad & Tobago and the Cayman Islands
Trinidad & Tobago were the victors of the first IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifying match, overcoming Cayman Islands 39-12 at the Truman Bodden Stadium in Georgetown, Grand Cayman.
In the second match of the day, Guyana beat Jamaica 10-3.
On a beautiful day at the National Stadium a healthy Sunday morning crowd witnessed Trinidad & Tobago flyhalf Brendan OFarrell kicking off Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifying on the stroke of 10.30, and it was his side that enjoyed all the early play.
Trinidad & Tobago opened the scoring after just seven minutes when right wing Kidone Silverthorn dived over in the right-hand corner to claim the first ponts of Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifying.
Trinidad & Tobago continued to dominate the first quarter of the game and enjoyed the majority of possession and territory. Indeed they displayed superior skills up front and in possession retention, and better handling behind the scrum.
This resulted in another try with captain and No.8 Adam Frederick crossing the Cayman line after 20 minutes. The try was converted by OFarrell to make it 12-0.
It took just another four minutes for Trinidad & Tobago to score their third try when left wing Andre Cabera finished off a lovely move by the backline to score in the left-hand corner. Trinidad & Tobago dominance continued for the rest of the half with Cayman rarely venturing into the opposition half. But resolute defence by the Cayman Islands meant they went into the break only 17-0 down.
Trinidad & Tobago flank Robert Stone finished off strong mauling and driving play by his forwards early in the second half to extend Trinidad & Tobagos lead. This came after Trinidad & Tobago had opted for a kick to the corner after a penalty against Cayman for off-side and an unstoppable driving maul from the line-out ended when Stone crashed over with the support of his pack to make it 22-0.
The local crowd, who had enjoyed little to cheer up to that point, were given some hope when Cayman replacement lock Matt Bishop crossed near the posts following a quick tap option from a penalty under the posts by scrumhalf Tony Elliott. Cayman wing Stuart McMillan converted to make it 22-7.
Caymans progress in the match was hampered by their line-out which was constantly under pressure, but a clever kicking game gave them territory and opportunities.
Ron Arscott, the Cayman replacement prop was called into action on 25 minutes. Arscott is in his sixties and is one of the oldest players to see Rugby World Cup action, having also played in the last Rugby World Cup qualifying tournament.
Cayman tried to open up the game in search of a score to bring them back into the match, but Trinidad & Tobago capitalised on an open field mistake and scored their fifth try through full back Kelson Fugaro. The conversion by OFarrell made it 29-7.
Trinidad & Tobago's Ronald Silverthorne, one of their replacements, continued the scoring with a fine try to make it 34-7 after excellent handling by the threequarters and a quick ruck on the Cayman line.
With players getting tired and spaces opening up Trinidad & Tobago replacement back Miguel Laro ran 40 metres to score another try for his side with five minutes remaining.
But Cayman heads had not given up and wing Stuart McMillan scored the final try of the game in the right corner following a strong run by Arscott to the loudest cheer of the day.
Trinidad & Tobago progress to the semi finals, which will be played on 23 April.
Scorers:
For Trinidad & Tobago:
Tries: Kidone Silverthorn, Frederick, Cabera, Stone, Fugaro, Ronald Silverthorne, Laro
Cons: OFarrell 2
For Cayman Islands:
Tries: Bishop, McMillan
Con: McMillan
Teams:
Cayman Islands: R Tressider, K Wright, M Livingston, S Hannan, S McMillan, C Bunce, T Elliot, C Law, S Gerrard, J Rew, J Bovell, M de Toil, J Wagner (captain), S Bacon, P de Vere.
Replacements: T Stewart, R Arscott, B Tressider, J Clark, M Bishop, M Cumber, J Doak
Trinidad & Tobago: K Fugaro, K Silverthorn, D Smaggs, K Aamensen, A Cabera, B OFarrell, B Yelming, A Frederick (captain), R Stone, K Quashie, J Clark, P Bacchus, S Roberts, F Guerra, D Martinez.
Replacements: R Anandsingh, M Laro, J Joseph, C Gellingham, R Silverthorne, W Kelly, C Felix
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)
In the second game on day one, Guyana defeated Jamaica 10-3 to join Trinidad & Tobago in the semi finals. Guyana scored two tries through Cloyd Prowell and Kevin McKenzie to a penalty.
Scorers:
For Guyana:
Tries: Prowell, McKenzie
For Jamaica:
Pen: Donald Walters
Guyana: R Mayers, D Parks, K McKenzie, T Henry, C Butts (captain), C Singh, R George, C Prowell, R Staglon, F Thomson, A Feux, W George, T McCalmon, A Etwali, D Gordon.
Replacements: C Montooth, J Tyrell, E Chase, J Felicien, D Downer, P Hamilton, L Greaves.
Jamaica: J Myers, K Howard, A Fong (captain), O Hyman, D Walters, N Pusey, M Davis, G Marfood, O Smith, K Catiner, A Edwards, M Green, B Martin, I Virgo, E Herbine.
Replacements: D Samuels, C Green, M Sutherland, S Hastings, S Wint, E Pattinger, R Johnson
Referee: Derek Stoltz (Canada)
By Greg Thomas of the IRB in Georgetown
