A week after reclaiming the T&T Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) Toyota Championship Division title after two years, Caribs RFC stormed into the final of the Marcus Minshall Cup Competition, when it handed Royalians a 44-10 whipping, in the last four stage, on Saturday.

Playing simultaneously, reigning knockout champion and last year’s league winner, Harvard also took a berth into the final following a 22-13 victory over Stag Trinidad Northern.

The Beer Boys, Caribs, which is on high seven days following its Bruno Browne triumph and the league title win on the final day, cruised past Royalians. Caribs led 25-0 at the half and never looked back. For Royalians, Mark Roberts and Felician Guerra scored two consolation tries in the second half, long after it stood no chance of a come back.

Meanwhile, for Caribs, both Graeme Alkins and Anderson Joseph scored two tries, while Richard Staglon, Ryan Brown, Don Rojas, Jamaal Stewart and Abdeel Giles scored one try each. Two of the nine tries were converted by Stewart.

Both of Saturday’s winners will clash in the final on Saturday at a venue to be announced. Harvard will seek to defend one of several first-time titles it won last season. It has already been dethroned by Caribs for the league title. Harvard picked up its first ever Marcus Minshall Cup last season with a 25-11 win over Northern in the final.

Following Caribs’ big win, club president Ronald Annandsingh said he was pleased at the direction the club is currently heading.

“I think yes, this season our focus is to play rugby and enjoy it. Last season was an eye opener; the club needed to refocus our energy in training.

He said however, the method of training has not changed at all. “Caribs’ game has just gotten tighter.” Annandsingh credited his players for their determination and passion, which he said stemmed from an accident in which one of its key players, Jason “Moon” Clarke was involved in last year.

“I know the players wanted the league for Moon (Jason Clarke). That (incident) brought out a lot of emotion, which ultimately affected our competitiveness in the league,” said Annandsingh, a veteran of the sport and manager who has been involved in schools’ rugby for several years.

Apart from his senior team, Annandsingh is happy at the direction the Under-19 and Under-17 teams are heading in.

“The Under-19 team is stepping up and we’re looking an improved Under-17 team next year. I just wish the women would play more games.”

Results

Caribs 44 v Royalians 10

Harvard 22 v Northern 13

Source