Green Machine, Calypso Warriors battling for championship glory

RAN South Zone Final…

By Akeem Greene

The St Stanislaus College Ground on Carifesta Avenue is set to come ablaze with glory from 16:00 hrs today, when Guyana’s national rugby team, Green Machine, engage the Trinidad and Tobago Calypso Warriors   in an intense physical battle with the Ruby Americas North (RAN) South Zone title being at stake.

The winner would advance to the North versus South play-off, a match that will be away to Mexico on July 1.

With the game moved from its normal venue of the National Park field due to the inclement weather, the new venue could make the game even more intriguing, with the usual gusty winds set to play a crucial factor, given the proximity of the ground to the Georgetown Sea Wall. What makes this matchup even more interesting is that both teams are coming off convincing wins over Barbados last month, with Guyana winning 34-26 and Trinidad 36-16.

Guyana Times Sport spoke to both camps prior to this highly anticipated encounter, and both sides are cognisant of what is at stake.

“We are pretty ready for them. We have been working on certain tactics — to work the big guys out and see how long they can last. We will [be] very mobile, and attack them rather than sit and wait for them to come to us”, Green Machine Captain, Ryan Gonsalves, has stated.

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 trying to correct them; and we are adding a few more players to strengthen us”, he revealed.

Calypso Warriors’ Assistant Coach Brendan O’Farrell   is wary of the threat the locals pose, since Guyana defeated his side 23-18 last year in the Twin Island Republic to win the title.

“The season has been one game apiece. We both played Barbados and won, and tomorrow [today] will be very close; which it has been over the last couple of years, with Guyana having the upper hand. But we are looking forward to it”, the Trinidadian revealed.

He added, “We know each other very well. On the day, it is who wants it the most”.

Unlike Guyana, the visitors have been exposed to predominantly dry weather,   and O’Farrell contends that the soggy conditions will be a challenge. “It will affect us.  We won’t be accustomed to the heavy pitch. We have been training on very dry ground in Trinidad, but hopefully we (will) get over that quite quickly”, he said.

 Given the history between the sides, this coach has predicted that a victory today could invigorate the sport once more in his homeland.

 “It [a win] will build a lot of spirit in Trinidad. Guyana have won the championship for the last two years, and it will be nice for us to  get back up there, and it will do a lot for the morale of Trinidad Rugby at the moment. We went through a bit of slump, but we are getting back there,” he revealed.

Guyana Squad reads: Jason Tyrell (Loose head), Rickford Cummings (Hooker), Rondel McArthur (Tight head), Dwayne Schroeder (Lock), Ahmad Isaacs (Lock), Jamal Angus (Blindside), Richard Staglon (Openside), Vallon Adams (No.8), Ryan Gonsalves (Scrum Half), Peabo Hamilton (Outside Half), Avery Corbin (Wing), Claudius Butts (Centre), Trayton Braithwaite (Centre), Patrick King (Wing), Ronald Mayers (Full back), Cyon Kitt (Front Row), Cloyd Prowell (Front Row), Allain Crawford (Res), Dillon Downer (Res), Godfrey Broomes (Res), Blaize Bailey (Res), Grantly Williams  (Res), Keon David (Res), Joseph Rahaman (Res). Reserve: Toby David Team management officials:  Elwane Chase (Manager), Kenneth Grant- Stuart (Head Coach), Oslen Ollivierre (Assistant Coach), Aruni Shamnarine (Physiotherapist), Neil Barry (Physiotherapist), Joshua Griffith (Physiotherapist)

Match officials appointed: David Sherwin (Cayman Islands) – Referee; Kevin Murrell (Barbados) – Assistant Referee1; Clifton Garrett (Guyana) – Assistant Referee 2;  Sabola Gray (Guyana) – 4th Official;  Andrea Lashley-Atherly (Guyana) – 5th Official; Jason Brewer (Barbados) – Match Commissioner; Terrence Grant (Guyana) – Scorer