HARVARD SportS Club retained their Men’s Open Festival title with a comprehensive 21-5 victory over Carib RFC in the final at the St Mary’s Ground, St Clair yesterday.

This marks the seventh title for the club this season which includes the three major trophies, the Marcus Minshall Knock-out, the TTRFU Toyota League Championship Division and the National 7’s Tournament.

Keston Earle opened the scoring for the winners which was converted by Ryan Hinckson to give their team a 7-0 lead, however, Caribs would cut the lead with a try of their own which was not converted.

The teams went into the break with Harvard holding a 7-5 advantage. That was as close as Carib would get as skipper Cladius Butts registered a try which was also converted by Hinckson as the lead increased to 14-5. Vallon Adams then added the final try of the match which was also converted as Hinckson was three of three from kicks.

Head coach Larry Mendez said it was not easy as they were somewhat hampered by injury. “Obviously the hard work we have been doing on strength and conditioning has paid off today. We were able to rally through with just two reserves when we should have had five. I think the mental toughness of the boys is definitely there and we were able to follow through and come out with the win,” said Mendez.

He said it was a great feat for the club this season after going without a major title in 40 years.

“Achieving seven titles is a first for the club and there is nothing to compare this with, but the feeling is great. Just getting the players to buy into the philosophy has been great and it has been working. I am very proud of the players and the efforts they have been giving,” said the coach.

Captain and Most Valuable Player (MVP) Butts, also commended his players for what he thought was a brilliant performance under the circumstances. “I was missing a couple of my key players, however, the second team players stepped up and gave a big performance this weekend,” said the captain.

On the women’s side Royalians also retained their title as they defeated Police in their three matches and their vice-captain Dalia Jordan-Brown was adjudged the MVP. The Men’s Plate final was won by Southern Exile with Police second. The U-17 went to Northern RFC while Southern Exile took the U-14 title.



Men’s Open; 1- Harvard, 2- Caribs RFC, 3- Northerns RFC. MVP Cladius Butts

Plate; 1- Southern Exile, 2- Police. Women’s Open; 1- Royalians, 2- Police. MVP Dalia Jordan-Browne. U-17; 1- Northern, 2- Royalians, 3- Southern Exile. MVP Ross Navarroo

U-14; 1- Southern Exile, 2- Harvard

By Kevin Sunich

Source: www.newsday.co.tt