Wednesday, 13th July 2011Day 3 U19: Mexico 19 T&T 22; Cayman 11 Bermuda 10
Results of Final Round Pool Matches U19s
Day 3 of the U19 Championships sees matches between all four the unbeaten teams. In the first match of th day at 6.00 p.m. (7.00 EST) Mexio take on the 2010 runner up Trinidad & Tobago ("T&T"), while the 8.00 p.m. (9.00 p.m. EST) match sees the 2010 and reigning Champions take on the 2009 winners and ever improving, Cayman Islands. Both games should be close encounters. The winner of each match will play against each other in the final on Saturday, while the two losing teams will play off for 3rd and 4th place.
All matches live at www.caymanrugbytv.com
Match 1: Mexico v Trinidad & Tobago
Kick off: 6.00 p.m. (7.00 p.m. EST)
Referee: Keith Hodgkins (Bermuda)
Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) just managed to edge out Mexico in a close and entralling match, to secure a place in the final. Mexico had ample opportunity to win the match, especially in the dying moments when they were camped inside the T&T 22 for a lengthy period late in the second half.
Mexico opened the scoring through Alberto Loredo Reta (5-0) and stretched their lead to 8-0 with an Eduardo Roma penalty. Deciding not to kick a relatively easy penalty in front of the posts, Mexico squandered another 3 points and in the process immediately conceded a try when centre Brandon Scotland scored for T&T to pull the scores back to 8-7 with Jamal Stewart converting. T&T took the lead through a Carlton St Clair try followed shortly after by one from Melville Eastman which Steward converted to take T&T's lead to 19-8. With the first half coming to a close, Mexico narrowed the score through a Loreda Reta penalty, which was cancelled out on the stroke of half time via a Stewart penalty for T&T. half time: 22-13 to T&T.
In the second half, Roma brought Mexico straight back into the match with two second half penalties to narrow the lead to 22-19 to T&T. Despite much pressure and possession Mexico could not find there way over the line, thanks largely to some resolute defence from T&T.
Full time: T&T 22 Mexico 19
Match 2: Cayman v Bermuda
Kick off: 8.00 p.m. (9.00 p.m. EST)
Referee: Alwin Etwah (Guyana)
In the second match of the evening, Cayman narrowly defeated Bermuda 11-10 to reach the final against T&T. Bermuda took an early 5-0 lead when Captain and No 8 went over. Cayman wing Tom Mann, levelled the scores at 5-5 when after some excellent back play he dived over in the corner. Unfortunately for Cayman, fly half Morgan Heywood could not find his kicking rhythm and missed a series of penalties that he would normally have slotted with ease. Half time: Cayman 5 Mexico 5.
In the second half Heywood eventually landed a penalty to give Cayman the lead at 8-5. The lead was extended to 11-5 through a Alex Harvey penalty. With time running out Cilvers scored his second of the night to put Bermuda with a point at 11-10 of levelling. Cayman's well organised defence held strong and prevented Bermuda from scoring much to the delight of a noisy home crowd.
Full time: Cayman 11 bermuda 10.
Saturday's Final Matches:
2.00 p.m. Barbados v Jamaica (5th / 6th place)
4.00 p.m. Mexico v Bermuda (3rd / 4th place)
6.00 p.m. Cayman v T&T (1st / 2nd place)
