David Gokool scored to take the lead for Harvard and Ryan Hinckson scored the winning try in the club’s come-from-behind 22–12 win over Stag Trinidad Northern in the Toyota Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union Championship Division match on Saturday afternoon. Harvard did well to recover from last weekend’s 53–8 crushing defeat to title favourites Caribs when the teams took to Caribs’ pitch, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. Northern was the better team at the start taking two tries from Gordon Dalglish in the 26th and 39th minute. The second effort from Dalglish was subsequently converted by Justin Mc Lean. Leading 12–0, the Northern defence loosened toward the end of the first half allowing Gokool past the tryline for the first Harvard try.

From the start of the second half, Harvard were on the attack and looked completely the better side. With four minutes in, Claudius Butts scored for Harvard to make it 12–10, still in favour of Northern, but with a comeback on the cards. In the 50th minute, Harvard were again on the attack when Gokool playing on the right flank collected the ball and opted to lob it far enough past the tryline for himself to collect. The ball was initially collected by Northern’s Ronald “Dixie” Mayers who may have been unaware of a rushing Gokool.
Mayers then fumbled the ball upon being pushed by Gokool who dropped on the loose ball for the try. Hinckson stepped up and converted to make it 17–12 for Harvard.Hinckson then scored a try of his own to make it 22–12 in favour of Harvard with ten minutes left to go. Harvard then held their lines well for the remainder of the match, giving Northern no space to filter behind to score. The score remained for Harvard to stamp their place in second position.

Playing at the same time, the top of the standings and unbeaten Caribs were up against Royalians. Caribs were always in control of the match, and in the end won 36–15. Caribs had six different try scorers in Jamal Clarke, Andre Cabrera, Samuel Roberts, Jason Clarke, Kemo Stewart and Richard Staglon. Both Clarks’, Jamal and Jason, as well as Stewart’s efforts were converted by Don Rojas. James Phillip and Kelson Figaro scored a try each for Royalians. Figaro also converted Phillip’s effort and scored a penalty.
Rainbow won their first match of the campaign when they demolished Police 53–7. Rainbow were also successful in their under-19 encounter against Caribs when they won 24–20 on Sunday. The two sides were separated by the two successful conversions from Rainbow’s Themba Jack. Christopher Hudson, Abgoola Silverthorn, Dekeel Julien and Yohance Alexander scored tries for Rainbow. Ernest Wright, Anderson Joseph, Kerwin Hamlet, as well as Stewart (also of the senior team) were the try scorers for Caribs.

Result

Toyota Championship Division
Caribs    36    vs    Royalians    15
Harvard    22    vs    Northern    12
Rainbow    53    vs    Police    7

Under-19 Division
Rainbow    24    vs    Caribs    20

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Andrew Gioannetti