Day #2: Bermuda Rugby In Barbados
[Updated] With Bermuda finishing third in their group and Bahamas failing to send a team, Bermuda received a bye into the semi finals of the Bowl competition today [Nov.13]. They would play the winners of Turks & Caicos and Curacao. Curacao would run out winners in that match and face Bermuda.
The 2011 NACRA Men’s and Women’s Sevens is taking place in Bridgetown, Barbados this weekend [Nov.12/13], with 27 teams from across the Caribbean, Central America and USA competing.
After yesterday’s monsoon like weather, both pitches were severely waterlogged and had copious amounts of standing water. Nevertheless, Bermuda were quickest out the traps with Gareth Williams intercepting from the kick off for a 5-0 early lead. Henderson was off target with the conversion.
The remainder of the first half was scrappy, with the underfoot conditions getting the better of both teams. With the last play of the half, Bermuda extended their lead with quick hands from Williams and Henderson putting Jack Ellison in for the score out wide. Henderson was successful with the conversion to give Bermuda a 12-0 half time lead.
The start of the second half saw Curaceo catch Bermuda napping, with them grabbing their first score of the game. However Bermuda soon stepped it up with further scores from Tom Healy (2) and Gareth Williams. Henderson added the extras with the boot for a final score of 29-5.
Next up, Bermuda play USA South in the final of the Bowl competition, with Bermuda looking for a repeat of their win in yesterdays pool stages. Yesterday, playing in torrential rain, Bermuda lost to Mexico and Cayman Islands, and beat the USA South team 17-7.
Update 3.17pm: In a valiant effort, the conditions and heavy footing finally told on the Bermuda squad as they lost the Bowl final 26-14 to a much improved USA South team. Bermuda scored tries through Kris Furbert and Gareth Williams, both converted by Ian Henderson. The Bermuda team will be arriving back on island on tomorrow evenings Miami flight.
