Mexico Defeats Bermuda National Rugby Team
Bermuda’s national rugby team took on their counterparts from Mexico over the weekend, losing a tough match in that country as they prepare to face USA South in two weeks in Atlanta.
A spokesperson said, “A Bermuda side missing some key players faced a much improved Mexican rugby team at the lofty grounds of Dos Rios, Huixquilucan, some 9,000 feet above sea level. The pristine ground is the maximum sized allowed by the IRB and is the historic home of Mexican rugby.
“A very large partisan crowd were on hand to cheer on their young national team. Under the watchful eyes of IRB referee Gordon Murray, the eagerly anticipated match kicked off under clear blue skies. Mexico sent an early message with the intent on playing expansive rugby and take advantage of the wide pitch.
“Early pressure by Mexico saw stout defense by Bermuda. The Mexicans showed their much improved technical skills by playing a ball possession game with the forwards committing heavily at the breakdown to secure quick ball. An early penalty was awarded for an offence at the breakdown, but Mexican standoff Miguel Carter scuffed the easy kick wide.
“From the restart, Bermuda kicked deep and piled on pressure, however the Mexican backs countered from deep and regained territorial advantage; this was an ominous foreshadowing of things to come.
“The Mexican team were well-drilled and looked very sharp in the set pieces; they conducted a month long rugby camp prior to the match and the extra coaching paid dividends in excellent first phase ball. Carter made up for his first missed kicked with a well struck drop goal from 30 meters out after his forwards had won an attacking lineout. Down 3-0, Bermuda settled down and began to dominate in the scrums.
“Winning a scrum against the head, Bermuda caught Mexico flat-footed and a series of well-worked back moves saw them drive deep into the Mexican half. Mexico cynically killed a promising attack with hands in the ruck. Bermuda stand off Tommy Edwards knocked over the penalty to even things up at 3-3. Bermuda continued to exert pressure and a nice up and under saw speedster Neville Zuille catch his opposite man in possession deep in his 22. The ball was expertly stolen at the breakdown by Paul Canfield.”
“Bermuda looked to score a try off the turnover but a nasty looking high tackle on Edwards extinguished the threat. With Edwards getting medical treatment, Bermuda center Richard Cumbers knocked over the kick to give Bermuda a 6-3 lead 25 minutes into the game. However a simple handling error off the restart gifted Mexico an attacking scrum.
“They spun the ball wide and only a desperate try saving tackle by the covering Paul Dobinson stopped the flow. Mexico won the ensuing lineout and a crash ball in the center resulted in a harsh penalty for not releasing. Carter stepped up and slotted the easy lick to bring Mexico even again at 6-6. Bermuda worked through some good phases and drove into the Mexican half and were rewarded with a long range penalty by Cumbers to retake the lead 9-6.
“Bermuda should have extended the lead further when a text book take and drive in the lineout drove the Mexican team back into their five yard line but, with a gaping undefended blindside begging to be taken, the ball was spun open and the opportunity was missing. Bermuda began to feel the effects of the altitude and the high pace game of the Mexicans and were desperately trying to get to the half with their slim but hard fought lead intact.
“However some good running and support play by the Mexican backs put the Bermuda defense in disarray and a 40 meter attack in injury time saw their winger touch down in the corner for a fortuitous 13-9 half time lead. Bermuda faced an up hill battle in the second half with a fit young Mexican side looking very hungry and playing extremely well. The second half kicked off and it was obvious that the Mexicans wanted to utilize their experienced back line all of which play for their dangerous sevens squad.
“Mexico turned over a scrum on their five meter line and launched an audacious attack from under the shadow of their own posts. Mexican seven virtuoso Christian Henning had been kept in check in the first half but he exploded in the second half with a truly amazing performance. Henning cleverly dummied the ball and then skipped inside his opposite man to break through.
“A deft off load to the supporting winger saw Mexico deliver a stunning body blow to Bermuda in the first minute of the half. Winger Pablo Pagano carried the back, tracking Corey Boyce over in the corner to score a 95 meter try. Carter added further salt to the wound by knocking over the difficult side line conversion.
“Three minutes into the half and Bermuda found themselves on the wrong end of a 20-9 scoreline. Mexico and, in particular, man of the match Henning, were not done by a long shot. Mexico immediately countered from the restart and put a clinic on about controlled possession rugby. Their forwards drove relentlessly forward and created space for their lethal back line who looked to break through on every attack.
“Desperate Bermuda tackling could not stop the inevitable and Henning once again showed his class with a deft chip over the top which his center partner Pascal Nadaud collected the kind bounce to score under the posts. Bermuda found themselves down 27-9 and they had not touched the ball in the second half. The altitude and constant tackling were having its told on the older Bermuda squad and where they once looked competitive increasingly they looked desperate and losing control of the game.”
“Things went from bad to worse when the brave Tom Edwards was harshly shown a yellow card for allegedly not rolling away from a tackle. The yellow card was more of team punishment as the referee was getting frustrated by accumulative infringements by an increasingly tired Bermuda squad. Mexico and, in particular, man of the match Henning, showed their killer instinct by scoring their third try in 15 minutes.
“Henning once again showed his class with a sublime inside step that left the baffled Bermuda backline flat-footed. With the score at 34-9, the game was pretty much over as a contest and Bermuda coach Roedolf Van Der Westhuizen had little option but to clear the bench in an effort to stem the flow. Henning was having none of it as he took advantage of some good work by his forwards off a lineout to score.
“Carter missed the conversion but Mexico had an insurmountable 39-9 lead with 15 minutes to go. A visibly exhausted Bermuda won the admiration of the local crowd with their competitive “never say die” attitude but there was no stopping a rampant Mexico side who had the bit by the teeth. Some good forward driving allowed their scrum half Lucas Barbieri to dive over from close and then Henning masterminded another break through before off loading to a supporting lock Roberto Calderón to take the score to 51-9.
“Bermuda were well and truly beaten and managed to touch the ball only seven times in the second half. Starved of possession, Bermuda defended manfully but the rarefied air took its toll and they were literally out on their feet. It was fitting that Mexico’s last try came from another well-worked overlap by Henning who finished off his memorable day with his fourth try, taking the final score to 56-9.
“The large local crowd went ballistic on the final whistle with their beloved team achieving a historic and comprehensive win over a battered Bermuda. Four of the Bermuda squad were immediately treated for altitude sickness with one Tashon Desilva having to be hospitalized for treatment.
“Coach Van Der Westhuizen was gracious in defeat and complemented Mexico on their win, saying, “They were by far the better side today and deserved to win. I am disappointed that we did not take the opportunities we had in their first half. I am proud of the lads defensive effort in these challenging conditions- the score line does not reflect how hard they worked.
“We had nine new caps today as well, so my players will learn from this experience. I take my hat off to the Mexican number 13, he took control of the game in the second half and we had no answer for him. A world class performance by the lad.”
“Bermuda will have to put this crushing defeat behind them and build towards their next game against USA South in two weeks in Atlanta.”
