A spirited second half display by Guyana’s National Rugby team, the “Green Machine” geared them to a 23-5 victory over Jamaican in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s’ Championship South Zone Division, as part of the 2019 World Cup qualifiers.
Playing in soggy conditions at the National Park Rugby field on Sunday, the local ruggers were not as fluent as their previous match against Barbados, since from the scrum-off Jamaica kept driving forward and putting the pressure on Guyana.
The Jamaicans eventually broke the back of the Guyanese resistance when left flanker Steve Miller scored a try in just the third minute of the match to put his side up, five points.
The visitors continued to play close to the scrum but as the first half got more intense, they began to give away penalties to Guyana, one of which gave the home side their first three points after Ryan Gonsalves made the conversion with a classical kick in the 33rd minute with the score reading Guyana 3, Jamaica 5.
Guyana usually plays the expansive game by getting ball out from the back but seem to find it difficult to adapt to the close play by the Jamaicans as most offensive plays were shut down by some strong tackles.
However, the containment did not last for long as the combination of Ronald Mayers and Lancelot Adonis saw Adonis scoring in the 39th minute to give the Green Machine a valuable five points and put them in the lead at half time 8-3.
Upon the resumption of the second half, the dynamic Avery Corbin had to leave the field because of a presumed injury just as he was looking a serious threat with his speed and strength.
The Islanders would be ruing not being able to capitalise on the scoring opportunities in the first half, as great wet field rugby play saw Mayers scoring a try from a run on the outside.
The momentum now seemed to be in the locals favour as the cheeky combination of Claudius Butts and Patrick King, saw King diving to score a try in the 42nd.
The duo again were in the thick of the action as they provided the last highlight of the match, as King ran about 20 meters then swung it back to Butts who then made a dashing run to complete the try which soon afterwards signalled the end of taxing encounter.
The loss essentially knocks Jamaica out the championships after losing to Guyana’s next opponent, Trinidad and Tobago, in their opening match.
The Green Machine, now with two convincing wins from their two matches thus far, will now shift their focus to their final match of the Championships against the Calypso Ruggers on July 23 in the twin island Republic. ([email protected])
Ryan Gonsalves during his stride as he takes a successful kick to score a conversion for Guyana (Marceano Narine Photo)
