Guyana cross first hurdle, beat Barbados 19-17

By Rajiv Bisnauth –

Guyana’ s 15s rugby team on Saturday was able to cross the first hurdle in their quest to further advance in the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association’s (NACRA) Senior Men 15s Caribbean championship, when they edged Barbados 19- 17, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Guyana will play Trinidad and Tobago on June 1 and a win will ensure that they set up a clash for the NACRA title against either Southern USA or defending title holders Bermuda, who defeated the locals last year at the same stage.
In the opening period, Barbados dominated possession as the Guyanese made uncharacteristic mistakes on offence. However, the locals bounced back and were ferocious on the defensive end, making some important stops, preventing the visitors from making a mark on the score-sheet in the second half. The Barbadians took the early lead with three tries and a conversion in the opening half, taking full advantage of some poor defending by the Guyanese.
Shaun English (two tries) and Christian Preece (one try) wove their way beautifully through the Guyanese defensive line to eventually give their team the early lead. The lone conversion came from skipper Dwight Forde and at half time the visitors lead 17-0. On resumption, with the Barbadians looking weary, the Guyanese ruggers piled on the pressure with some relentless drives that eventually took its toll on the visitors’ backline which allowed Guyana to open their account. After a lazy attempt by the Barbadians, Avery Corbin scored Guyana’s first try. It was a clear example that the Barbadians were physically worn down and feeling the effects mentally.
Corbin, who started to impress himself on the game, scored another try before Claudius Butts took the score to 15-17 with the third try. Skipper Ryan Gonsalves strode up and buried the conversion to make it 19- 17. Guyana by then were completely in control with the Barbadians scrambling to defend the calculated onslaught by the Guyanese before the final whistle came.
Meanwhile, head coach Theodore Henry speaking with Guyanese media shortly after the game, said he did not think the team could have made a bigger statement, referring to the earlier boasts made by the Barbadians.
“They are really a good side in the forward department, but we managed to outplay them in the second half, we did not stick to the game plan during the first half, but it took a total team effort after the resumption and in the end we came out on top,” Henry said.
He added that the hard work and an undying will not to give up anything, coupled with sturdy defence were the keys to victory.
“We came out with the intention to shut them out totally and I feel that we managed to achieve that goal today (Saturday) and I must mention players such as Avery Corbin and Claudius Butts, whose experience and maturity played a major part in our win,” Henry said. He added that it makes a difference when there are players who could read the game and make critical decisions, because it takes the pressure off the coach and captain.