Cayman Gears up for Touch Rugby Season

(CRFC): This summer sees a feast of rugby coming to the Cayman Rugby Club in South Sound. For the tenth year running, the Summer Touch League starts in May, and teams are already beginning to sign up to take part. This three month festival of rugby has 24 teams, in three Divisions, playing over 300 games of touch rugby to determine who takes the accolade of Summer Touch League Champions 2011. Touch rugby is a simple game. You run forwards and pass backwards. The “tackle” is replaced with a “touch”. Each team gets six attempts to score a try, after being touched 6 times the ball is handed over to the other side. The winner is the team that scores the most tries. (Photo Caroline Deegan)

It’s an easy game to learn, a great opportunity to stay or get fit and most importantly of all, it’s great fun.

Teams are limited to squads of 14 players with three men and three women on the pitch at all times. From the fast and furious pace of Division 1 to the more “social” aspect of Division 3 there is a standard of rugby that will suit everyone. Games are played on Monday, Wednesday or Friday evenings and teams will usually have one game a week. The season is completed by a straight knockout Finals Day that is as social as it is competitive.
 

Last year Maples I were crowned Division 1 Champions in a frenetic final game against their long standing rivals Genesis Trust Five Nations. However, both teams will need to up their game this year. Dan Andersen, Captain of the Five Nations said, “The league as a whole gets better and the skill level is raised each year, I’m looking for the Five Nations to follow that trend. I’m also looking for Maples to do the same. Appleby, KPMG and PWC are also ones to keep an eye on. We are excited about the season and are looking to show a few of the younger sides that experience still matters.”
 

At the other end of the spectrum, Grizz’s Old Fellas, resplendent in their famous faux-fashionista pink kit, were without doubt the most sociable of touch teams. Richard “Grizz” Adams, mentor of the eponymously named side says, “With the mix of nationalities, pace, experience and legendary characters on the team I fully expect that the Old Fellas will once again dominate all facets of play… except when on the pitch.” Never a truer word spoken!
 

So, if you’re a beginner at the game or an experienced touch player and you want to be involved in a great game of touch rugby contact Sharlee Henshaw at caymantouchrugby@hotmail.com . She can help you find a team that suits the level of rugby you wish to play.