Cayman’s Rugby youth taste New Year victory

(CNS): As a continuing testament to the efforts of the Cayman Rugby Football Union’s youth training programs, a recent game originally scheduled to be played on New Year’s Day between the Cayman U25’s vs. a club select side of those over the age of 25 (“the O25’s”) kicked off at 4pm on 2 January and saw a thrilling match on the south sound pitch with final victory going to the Cayman U25’s. The U25’s, led by university student Stuart McMillan, were dogged in defence for the first hour of the game and whilst the action see-sawed from end to end if was the U25’s who broke the deadlock and opened the scoring 7-0 just before half time.

According to a release from CRFU, whilst the Over 25’s were expectantly dominant in the scrum it was everywhere else on the park that the youngsters seemed to have the upper hand, much to the joy of U19’s National Coach Steve Clarke who had himself nurtured much of the young Caymanian talent on show.

With the youngsters able to score once more though Joel Clark early in the final 20 minutes of the game it looked as though the U25’s were close to sealing victory but 2 converted tries from Keswick Wright and Venassio Tokotokovanua meant with only minutes to go the U25’s were trailing by 2 points.

A long range penalty effort from Robbie Cribb to retake the lead was missed but a last ditch chip ‘n’ chase run from Captain Stuart McMillan with only seconds on the game clock brought the winning points for the youngsters to close the game 17-14.

The spectacle of youth rugby continues on the South Sound Pitch this month with the first touring side of 2010 to visit the Islands arriving on 11 January. Loyola U23 Rugby will be in the Cayman Islands to play 2 games;

Game 1: Loyola vs. Cayman Development U23 XV, Wednesday, 13 January, 4pm
KO

Game 2: Loyola vs. Full Cayman U25 XV Saturday, 16 January, 4pm KO

Also on Saturday January 16th we have the Heineken Charity shield at 2pm vs. Last years AA Cup and Waterford Trophy champions the BPC Buccaneers and 2009 AA Cup runners up the DHL Storm!

Loyola is expected to be a strong team with several of last year’s Kenya U20 JW Trophy players in their side.