Sport
Cayman Open
Tournament with a win
Both teams vie forthe ball during this throw in at the weekend match
The Cayman U-19 rugby side took the Eastertournament curtain raiser against visiting Bishop Shannahan bystorm, in what proved to be a very exciting and skillful gameat the South Sound pitch, which was played in three 25-minutesections, rather than the normal two halves. Attacking from theoutset, Cayman were awarded a penalty in the second minute, whichSpike Anderson duly converted. Powerful forward play set up anumber of back moves, but Shannahan responded well in defenceand the play swung to and fro.
In the 15th minute the Cayman efforts werefurther rewarded, however, when another back play broke upfieldwith the ball passing to Richard Tressider on the Shannahan 22metre line. He shrugged off two tackles before diving over inthe corner to make the score 8 - 0. Shannahan fought back andshowed experience and skill in the lineouts and scrimmages. Theirresilience paid off and they scored a fine try following a finerun down the right wing, which was converted to make the score8 - 7 at the break.
In the second period, the travelling andheat began to show it's effect on the Shannahan team and Caymanstarted to take control. Attack after attack was launched on theShannahan line and this led to a five-metre scrum in Cayman'sfavour. A forcing back row move then put Dean Clark in for a try,which Anderson converted. Score at the second break 15 - 7.
The third period showed Cayman in firm commandthroughout, although a determined Shannahan managed to limit themto only one more score. Following loose play in the 22-metre area,Pierre Foster burst through the Shannahan defence and scored anice try near the left corner. Final score, Cayman 20, Shannahan7.
Team manager Derek Haines said, "Thiswas a great game and, whilst the heat had an effect on Shannahan,I am not taking anything away from the Cayman side. They playedwith determination and showed some lovely skills that were muchappreciated by the large crowd. I am very proud of them all andtheir hard work has given them a well deserved victory."