Source: www.royalgazette.com

By Stephen Wright

Guyana 0 Bermuda 11

Bermuda Rugby SquadFor the first time in more than a decade Bermuda’s national rugby team are Caribbean Champions.

The Islanders defeated pre-final favourites Guyana last night in their opponent’s capital city, Georgetown, thanks to a first half try by Aldo Campbell and two Tom Edwards penalty kicks.

Bermuda coach Lawrence Bird praised his victorious side’s commitment and discipline and described their defensive play as “absolutely superb”.

“It means so much to the guys who have worked so hard and so long for this,” said Bird.

“Guyana were heavily fancied and so to beat them with a clean sheet is very impressive. Defensively our boys were absolutely superb and very committed as we expected.

“We scored a try in the first few minutes through Aldo Campbell. We then had two penalties which Tom Edwards converted to give us an 11-0 lead at half-time.

“After the break they absolutely came at us from the word go and we incurred a lot of penalties, but we kept our composure and discipline.”

Bermuda finished top of the Caribbean North Zone after defeating Mexico in the semi-finals, while Guyana beat Barbados in the other semi to finish top of the South Zone.

Bermuda’s starting line-up: Paul Dobinson (Renegades), Tank Greenslade (Teachers), Allan Steynor (Mariners), Aldo Campbell (Teachers), Dave Rourke (Mariners), Gareth Edwards (Mariners), Conor McGlynn (Renegades), Peter Dunkerley (Renegades), Tom Healy (Renegades), Chris Naylor (Teachers), Jack Ellison (Teachers), Scott Coban (Teachers), Tommy Edwards (Police), Dave Porter (Teachers), Alun Thomas (Mariners)