Cayman U19’s continue impressive run

(CRFU): Bishop Shanahan High School Rugby Club returned to Cayman for the 4th time over the Easter weekend to play a series of matches against the Cayman U19’s. Bishop Shanahan, a co-educational secondary school in Downingtown Pennsylvania has enjoyed a rich rugby touring history since the club was founded in 1993 with Cayman being a preferred destination for the young Shanahan players to test their metal against the Caribbean’s premier under 19 program. The first game on 5 April was a close affair with the bigger Americans controlling the lineout and scrum but the Caymanian backline were too hot to handle as Cayman came out on top after 80 minutes.  Photo Caroline Deegan.

Cayman held onto a slim 8 point lead 15-7 with Shanahan threatening a final score with light fading at the South Sound pitch.

On Saturday 7 Aprilthe Cayman and Shanahan sides met again to play 2 games, one 10 a-side game featuring the younger and less experienced Shanahan and Cayman players who didn’t feature in the Thursday match. And another full 15’s match being the headline feature of the day.

The 10’s game was won by Shanahan 19-14 with Cayman’s points being notched up by Jordan McLaughlin and Coby Seymour.

The 15’s clash, much like Thursday evening clash was a very tight and physical affair with Cayman hanging on to the slimmest of leads going at the half 11-10.

The flow changed in the second half as the heat took its toll on the Shanahan players. Cayman began to take control but couldn't shake off the opposition until the last ten minutes with the best two tries of the game being scored by moving the ball superbly from one side of the pitch to the other and finishing with 2 great handling moves to end the game 40-24.

Scorers: Tries; Cody Bush (1) Jordan McLaughlin (1) Dan Hall (1) Paul Westin (1) Tom Mann (2)  Penalties; William Hayward (2) Conversions; Michael Peck (2)