Northern Rugby Club were convincing winners in the first ever Caribs Tobago International Rugby Sevens Tournament which took place at the Canaan/Bon Accord Recreational Ground on the weekend. Northerns overwhelmed Caribs 49-0 in the men’s final to take home the Carib Beer Trophy in the 12-team tournament which featured teams from Venezuela (Universidad Catolica Andres Bello), Guyana (Pepsi Hornets), Aesculapians (England) and a St Lucia/St Vincent and the Grenadines combined outfit. Northern captain Gordon Dalgish said his team was happy with the win. “ It is good feeling to take the title. Northern is not normally known for its capabilities in the ‘seven’ version of the game, but we managed to get it together.”
He said that his team members worked together to ensure the victory. “We had a good team. We bonded together. Everybody played together and things flowed. You did not see any individualism and everybody played for each other.” He added that his team looked forward to playing in Tobago. “We were training all year for the ‘15 version’. We trained hard every Tuesday and Thursday. The weather was great even though the sun seem hotter than in Trinidad. The pitch was great. We are looking forward to the beach now.” Hornets took the women’s crown trumping a Caribbean select team by 53-0.
Tournament director Brian Stollmeyer said the tournament was an overwhelming success. “It was a huge success. We had good participation with teams from England and Guyana and Trinidad as well. There were also supporters from Trinidad and the Caribbean who came in for the tournament. He added that Tobago was a suitable location for the event. “We thought it was ideal for Tobago as it has all the ingredients for the amateur tournament—lovely grounds, beaches and people. The organisation by the Tobago Rugby side was beautiful. “There were glitches but no major problems.” Stollmeyer said the organisers are planning to expand the competition to include more teams. Next year we are hoping for it to be three times as big and then four times as big in three years’ time.”
The former president of Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Union was impressed with the play of Nicollete Panto who won the Jamie Walther Memorial Cup after being voted the Most Promising player of the tournament. “Nicollette (Panto) was absolutely superb. Her play throughout the tournament really stands out for me. If (her play) is any guide for the future then it is promising. Host club Tobago Rugby captured the Larry Mouttet Memorial Trophy for the Best Camaradrie.
By Clayton Clarke
Source: www.guardian.co.tt