Iguanas retain the crown

(CRFU): The John Doak Architecture Iguanas became the first side to retain the Alex Alexander Memorial Trophy under the Cayman Rugby Football Union draft system which was implemented back in 2008. The Iguanas, having stumbled early in the season to the DHL Cayman Storm in the Heineken Charity Shield match and the Krys Global Buccaneers in the league opener turned their season around to win 4 consecutive games and march into the league decider with a slender 1 league point lead over the DHL Cayman Storm. The Iguanas knew that whilst a draw should see them through to another league victory the DHL Cayman Storm would stop at nothing to get the win and take the League for the first time since 2008. (Photo by Caroline Deegan)

The game started at a frantic pace and only moments into the battle the Iguanas found themselves with a one man advantage as DHL Cayman Storm outside centre Camilo Ramirez was awarded a red card for dangerous tackle on Iguana Inside centre Adam Keenan.

Unfazed by the tackle, Keenan continued in the same fashion as he had managed against the Queensgate Pigs Trotters he week before and made powerful runs against the Storm back line.

The Iguanas used their extra man advantage to little effect however as the Storm defence held firm against the extra man.

The Iguanas ended the 1st half in the lead but with the wind on their backs the Storm came back strong looking for the all important win and with a string of infringements from the Iguanas the Storm put points on the board through VenassioTokotokovanua as Yohann Regnard and Chris Kennedy of the Iguanas sat in the sin bin due to repeated infringements at the ruck.

With the game ending 17-17 the Iguanas knew that they had ended above the Storm on the league table but with the Krys Global Buccaneers handing the Queensgate Pigs Trotters their 6th defeat of the season by a heavy 72-24 margin the Buccaneers marched to the top of the table to be on equal points with the Iguanas. Only a superior point difference separated the 2 teams in the end and the Iguanas were crowned 2011 league champions!

The league win grants the Iguanas a place in the Waterford Trophy final on 2 April 2011 whilst the Buccaneers and the Storm will face off on 26 March to see who will battle against the Iguanas for a shot at the only trophy left in the 2011 Rugby XV’s season.

2011 Alex Alexander Memorial Trophy Standings

Team Played Won Lost Tied PF PA PD Bonus Total
John Doak Architecture Iguanas 6 4 1 1 179 103 76 1 19
Krys Global Buccaneers 6 4 2 0 170 144 26 3 19
DHL Cayman Storm 6 3 2 1 213 109 104 4 18
Queensgate Pigs Trotters 6 0 6 0 90 296 -206 1 1

All games are available to watch free on www.caymanrugbytv.com

Next games: March 26, 2011 at the Cayman Rugby Club

DHL Cayman Storm vs. Krys Global Buccaneers @4pm