Banks DIH fuelling Green Machine’s quest against Trinidad
RAN 15s South Zone Final…
Corporate giants Banks DIH, under their popular Banks Beer brand, have come out in support of the National Rugby team, Green Machine, ahead of their Rugby America North (RAN) 15s South Zone final against Trinidad and Tobago this Saturday.
At a simple presentation ceremony on Thursday, Banks DIH Public Relations Officer (PRO) Troy Peters told the gathering that the company was more than happy to be aligned with the sport again since the partnership dates back some distance in time.
Banks Brand Supervisor Rawle Nedd handing over the sponsorship cheque to GRFU President in the presence of rugby and Banks DIH representatives at Thirst Park
Peters predicted that the match would be tough, but he said he felt assured that the local ruggers can give a good account of themselves.
In response, Guyana Rugby Football Union’s (GRFU’s) Peter Green thanked the company for their support and underscored the importance of the match, since the winner would advance to the North versus South play-off, a match that will be away to Mexico on July 1.
Meanwhile, Head Coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart disclosed that the team is ready for the task at hand. “The team is ready. I am trying to keep them as far away from these off-scene distractions (as possible), so they can be more focused on their game come Saturday. In terms of the stuff we have been doing since Barbados, we have been looking at a lot of our plays and (identifying) weakness and try to correct them; and we are adding a few more players to strengthen us,” he revealed.
The Green Machine had to come from behind to defeat Barbados 34-26 in early May, while the Trinidadians have won their game against the Bajans 36-16, setting up a rematch of last year’s final with Guyana, which the latter won 23-18 in the Twin-Island Republic.
Grant-Stuart is hoping to use the history of rivalry between these two teams to the advantage of the Green Machine.
“Over the years, we have been playing back and forth with Trinidad; and as for the technical aspect, the senior players are well attuned to the pattern of (Trinidad’s play), and we have players who play club level with them,” Grant-Stuart has said.
The Green Machine will continue training today while their counterparts will be arriving on Friday morning for Saturday’s 15:00hrs scrum-off, scheduled to be held at either the National Park or the St. Stanislaus College ground on Carifesta Avenue. (Akeem Greene)
