ROYALIANS RFC, like Harvard men, retained their women’s title in the Harvard Club Rugby Festival which was played at the St Mary’s Ground, St Clair, over the weekend. Royalians which had a easier time this year since there were only two teams in this category, marched past Police in a best of three tournament to lift the title.

Vice-captain of the winning team Dalia Jordan-Browne, who was also adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) said the players came into the tournament with a lot of confidence.

“We came into this tournament knowing that we were going to win. I am not being boastful but these are tournaments that we would normally. We basically tried to perform at our best, to beat ourselves and to do better each time. We tried to stick with the game plan which worked sometimes while other times it did not work. Nevertheless we are happy with the end result as we were able to retain our title,” said Jordan-Browne.

She said being one of the more experienced players in the unit, her job is not just to help carry the team, but also to motivate and guide the lesser experienced players.

The two-time winners will be heading to the sister isle this weekend to compete at the Second Annual Carib Tobago International Rugby 7’s Tournament and the vice-captain feels this win is a good confidence booster. “You could always do with a confidence booster and it also gives us an idea of basically what we need to do, the little things we need to clean up before we get to Tobago,” said the MVP.

While she feels that they will have their work cut out at that tournament she is confident that they will do well. “It is going to be a whole different realm of competition, not just the local but also the international competition. It will be fiercer, since the international teams have a lot more experienced players but it will be good and we will do well,” said the Royalians vice-captain.

Jordan-Browne said they have a fair idea of what is expected and they will not be taking anything for granted.

Some six international teams as well as four teams from the twin island Republic will do battle for the top prize which includes a trophy and US$5,000. The second placed team will take home US$2,500, the third placed team US$1,500 and the fourth placed team will get US$1,000. The Tournament will be played at the Bon Accord Recreation Ground this Saturday and Sunday.

-Kevin Sunich

Source: www.newsday.co.tt