Source: trinidadexpress.com
Harvard Club lost a close-fought game 10-5 to powerhouse Caribs RFC in the final of the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) season-opening Austin Davis Memorial Ruggerama Tournament on Saturday at Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain.
Earlier, in a semi-final battle with defending Austin Davis champions, Stag Trinidad Northern, Harvard advanced to the final following a 5-5 stalemate that neither regulation nor sudden-death extra-time could end, having scored more tries than Northern.
Nicholas Martinez, assistant coach of Harvard, said while there was disappointment that his team did not go one better, he was happy with the effort put in by the players.
"They gave it their all. I would not make any excuses. Caribs won, congratulations to them, they are a top-class team," said Martinez.
"During the day we had some tough, hard-hitting games against Royalians, UWI, Rainbow, Northern and Caribs. The teams were all very committed in tackle and contact situations. Wow! There were some big tackles and a lot of intense physicality at the breakdowns.
"It was a good examination of the players' early season fitness and state of mind. At the start of the tournament all I asked them to do was to play with pride and passion and do their best. We are a young team and the guys will learn and improve. Losing to Caribs is not a disgrace." he added.