Traditional regional rugby rivals, Guyana and Trinidad, are set to clash in a thrilling South Zone final of the Rugby America’s North (RAN) 15’s Championships today at the St. Stanislaus College ground, Carifesta Avenue.
Following wins against Barbados, both outfits are confident of a positive outcome in the match which kicks off at 16:00hrs.
The ‘Green Machine’, led by Captain, Ryan Gonsalves is ready to transform into robot mode and defend home turf.
“Playing at home with the support that we get from the fans is always to our advantage,” said Gonsalves recently.
“These guys look forward to playing at home. We are not worried about Trinidad but sticking to our game plan and performing on the day.”
One of the coaches of the ‘Soca Ruggers’ Rhett Chee Ping, is gearing his team for a win also against their arch rivals.
“I think it’s going to be a tough game but I think we came with the right team that should give us the win.”
While his charges practiced on the Parade Ground yesterday, Chee Ping added: “You are always hoping to come here for a win. You don’t ever want to show up anywhere to come second so we hope to have a good showing and may the best team win and we hope it’s us.”
In their respective season openers Guyana defeated the Bajans, 34-26, however, Trinidad, got the better of Barbados by a wider margin, winning 36-16 in Trinidad on May 27. Today’s match could be a nail biter.
Guyana’s squad reads: Gonsalves (Captain), Jason Tyrell, Rickford Cummings, Rondell McArthur, Dwayne Schroeder, Ahmad Isaacs, Jamal Angus, Richard Staglon, Vallon Adams, Peabo Hamilton, Avery Corbin, Richard Staglon, Claudius Butts, Troyton Braithwaite, Patrick King, Ronald Mayers, Cyon Kitt, Cloyd Prowell, Allain Crawford, Dillon Downer, Godfrey Broomes, Blaise Bailey, Grantley Williams, Kevon David and Joseph Rahaman.
Trinidad’s squad includes: Felician Guerra (Captain), Trizine, McClean, Ernest Wright, Jamal Wright, Gordon Dalgleish, Wayne Kelly, Shakeel Dyte, Adam Frederick, Christopher Hudson, Leon Pantor, Anderson Joseph, Karlon Alexander, Joseph Quashie, James Phillip, Keishon Walker, John Hill, Samuel Roberts, Travis Carmichael, Kurt Quashie, Michael Augustus, Kareem Figaro, Johnson Alleyne and Wasim Stewart.
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
