Inspired by the small but boisterous crowd, the national rugby team clawed their way back from a nil-17 half time deficit to stun Barbados 19-17 in the second round of the NACRA Senior Men’s 15 Caribbean Championships yesterday at the Providence National Stadium.
Whatever Coach Theodore Henry told his charges in the locker room after they appeared to sleep walk in the first half, surely brought the ruggers to life in the second.
Lock down defence, coupled with tries by Claudius Butts and Avery Corbin (two) and two conversions from national captain, Ryan Gonsalves completed the stunning comeback by the locals.
Guyana played a very ordinary game in the first half which was littered with lazy tackles and passes.
The national ruggers ultimately paid the price as the visitors capitalized on their mistakes and quieted the green clad crowd.
The visitors played an envious first half with more superior plays and less mistakes than Guyana which eventual led to 17-0 score line at the half.
Two quick tries by Shaun English, a try from Christian Preece along with a conversion from captain, Dwight Forde, left the locals in a state of panic heading to the locker room.
Down 17 with nothing but pride to play for, the locals came out in an all-out attack mode.
Scoring first for Guyana was Butts who just made it over the try line after Guyana’s first progressive play was put together near Bajan territory.
The crowd was sent into frenzy when Corbin scored twice and both tries were converted by Gonsalves after he failed to convert Butts’ try.
The fitness levels of the Guyanese side counted as most of the burly Bajans looked exhausted as time went by.
A victory over Trinidad and Tobago on June 2 will see Guyana retaining the South Zone title.
That game will be played in the Twin Island Republic.
This publication was also informed that USA South defeated Bermuda,22 -14 to win the North Zone title yesterday, which means if Guyana retains the title, the locals will get to host the North Zone/South Zone match up.
