Cayman Rugby readies for early season

(CRFU): As the local Rugby 7’s season draws to a close the Cayman Rugby Union is gearing up for it’s premier XV’s season. Over every weekend in October the Maples 7’s series ticked away and although the final weekend was postponed due to the pitch being unplayable as a result of the recent torrential downpours the Maples National Academy took top honors whilst the National U19’s squad triumphed yet again in the Social Division. Only the CML Ama Tsotsi came close to challenging the Maples Academy in the premier division whilst in the social division Maples gave the DART U19’s a run for their money. (Photos Caroline Deegan)

The tournament was a good warm up for the National Academy who, along with the National women’s 7’s team, travel to Barbados for the 2011 DHL NACRA Men's and Women's Sevens competition on November 12th and 13th. Reigning champions Guyana (both Men and Women) will be looking to hold onto their titles, though Cayman’s preparation should give local rugby fans much to look forward to.

With New Zealand being crowned the IRB Rugby World Champions in October the world cup qualification process for England 2015 kicks off in earnest and Cayman’s World Cup qualifications start with the 2012 Caribbean Championships.

In order to give the National Men’s team more time to prepare to avoid the disappointments of 2011 when Cayman were knocked out of the competition by Mexico, the domestic XV’s season which usually kicks off in January has been pushed forward and kicks off on 19 November with the Heineken Charity Shield.  The 2010 & 2011 Alex Alexander Trophy champions John Doak Architecture Iguanas will face off against the 2011 Waterford Vase champions the Krys Global Buccaneers in the opening game and a new fixture has been added to the calendar to give the DHL Cayman Storm and the Queensgate Pigs Trotters a chance to win the new Heineken Wooden Spoon.

The DHL Cayman Storm, having finished 3rd place last year, will not get the opportunity to compete for the Heineken Shield, a trophy which has been held by that team since the trophy’s introduction!

Upcoming Fixtures at the Cayman Rugby Football Club, South Sound.

19 November 2011
230pm DHL Cayman Storm vs. Queensgate Pigs Trotters (Heineken Wooden Spoon)
400pm John Doak Architecture Iguanas vs. Krys Global Buccaneers (Heineken Charity Shield)

Final Standings Premier Division

Rank Team
1 Maples National Academy
2 CML Ama Tsotsi
3 Peter O’Neill Wolfhounds
4 Ecay Pigs Trotters

Final Standings Social Division

Rank Team
1 DART U19’s
2 Maples and Calder
3 Grizz’s Old Fellas
4 Heineken Clydesdales