By Emmerson Campbell
The local Sevens Rugby team rebounded from the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Cup round by being declared joint champions of the Bowl competition at the Las Vegas International Sevens tournament currently underway in the United States of America.
The team was declared joint champions along with the Denver Barbarians who also reached the final.
After suffering two defeats on the opening day of the 2012 Las Vegas Invitational Sevens three-day tournament on Thursday, the local ruggers did well to record victories over Mexico, the Columbus Rugby Club and the Philipines on the second day of the tournament yesterday.
In their first game against their pool A foes, the Force XV Froggies (a French team) the locals were narrowly beaten 19-12.
They then lost 29 to 12 against the other pool A team, the Social Vibe Pups (an English team).
The local ruggers however, rebounded and defeated Mexico the other pool A team, 19 to 14 yesterday morning and the Columbus Rugby Club and the Philippines in the afternoon.
By virtue of the two defeats, the national team however which is seeded fourth among the 16 competing teams was knocked out of the Cup round.
They did, however, qualify for the final in the Bowl round by winning their quarterfinal and semi final games.
In the quarterfinal, the national team defeated the Columbus Rugby Club 17 to 12. In the semi final, they won a sudden death over time duel with the Philippines 24 to 19.
President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union Kit Nascimento said late last night that the final was not played and instead the organizers declared the two finalists joint champions.
“I’m extremely pleased with their performance,” he told Stabroek Sport.
According to the GRFU boss, the team was playing in an elite tournament, an extremelty high level tournament and to win three out of five matches was commendable.
He pointed out that the Force XV Froggies and Social Vibe Pups of France and England respectively were “top invitational teams,” adding that” though they lost they were very competitive.”
The six-time North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) champions are using the three day tournament as a warm-up ahead of the team’s participation at the HSBC Sevens World Series in Hong Kong from March 23 to 25.
