Cayman hosts the South Wales Police RFC

(CNS): South Wales Police RFC made the long journey to the Cayman Islands from Bridgend in South Wales, albeit for a small delay thanks to the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, and arrived in George Town raring to play rugby last week. South Wales Police RFC is a relatively new club considering the national sport in Wales is Rugby. The club was established in June 1969 when the rugby teams of four different police forces amalgamated. These police teams represented Cardiff City, Glamorgan County, Merthyr Borough and Swansea Borough. However, in the club’s short history it has provided 13 players to the Welsh National Team, including Bleddyn Bowen, who captained Wales. (Photos by Caroline Deegan)

The Cayman RFU were both excited and apprehensive over the prospect of facing a squad which promised to be of high caliber and coming from a nation which prides itself on fast, expansive and hard hitting rugby, especially after having played a full international against Bermuda the previous week.

On Friday, 7 May, a mixed bag of players took the field against the Police and quickly found themselves staring down a 17 point deficit after only 40 minutes. From the first whistle the Welsh came out guns blazing and Cayman was caught off guard by such a powerful onslaught of fast running and quick passing, but what quickly became clear to all involved was that the Welsh visitors had not factored in the Cayman heat and humidity. A Cayman 2nd half comeback against a now tired and drained Welsh side, instigated in no small part by the smart kicking of Ed Hayward and the inclusion into the game of the Fijian rugby stars, Venassio Tokatokavanua, Seviri Tabunawira and Raqtoi, started to turn the tide and Cayman came nail bitingly close to a comeback win but were undone in a close battle 21-24.

Having sized up the competition and knowing that the South Wales Police had some players hidden up their sleeves Cayman prepared for a huge clash and picked a select squad of some the finest players available on island to take on the competition and earn National Coach Brad Cowdroy his first win in charge of the squad.

The game was at all times a fiery affair and the Welsh Police took an early lead thanks to 2 penalties in the opening exchanges, but those 2 penalties were to be the only pointsearned for the Welsh visitors that day. The Cayman defense stood strong and not once did the Welsh team cross the Cayman line for a try. The Cayman select squad meanwhile racked up 39 points in a 39-06 hammering of the opposition. The result was unexpected but the Welsh voodoo against small Island nations, which has been in the forefront of the Welsh Rugby psyche ever since Wales were sent crashing out of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in the pool stages by the island nation of Samoa, continues.

Albeit for the result, the camaraderie between the 2 sides was visible as always as shirts and gifts were exchanged over post match beers.

The South Wales Police will sadly head back to Bridgend with a 26 year unbeaten touring record in tatters thanks to the Cayman Islands but will no doubt have enjoyed their time on island enjoying all that Cayman has to offer.