Cayman Rugby Scale New Heights

By Phil Pretorius

The RHSW Cayman National XV’s rugby team scaled new heights on Saturday by beating a powerful USA South Panthers team in Florida by 28-21. This was the Cayman team’s eighth consecutive win this season and they remain unbeaten.

USA South was up until Saturday also unbeaten and their team is chosen out of the best players in the 12 southern states stretching up to Texas.

The Cayman side thoroughly deserved their win and scored 4 tries in the process. Head coach, Phil Pretorius, said that “especially the first half was an outstanding performance of exciting running rugby and solid defense”.

Garry Southway, the forwards coach, made mention of the powerful scrum work and was complimentary about two young props, Johny Gibson and Jordan Southway, who dominated throughout.

When the two veterans Ben McDonald and Peter de Vere replaced them late in the game, they were able to push the Panthers off the ball which led to the winning try.

In the backline Ed Westin did well in his 1st game as a fullback. In a highly pressurized arena he stood firm. He replaced Dave Accutt, after only 5 minutes play.

Justin Wight again showed that he is one of the best wingers playing on this side of the world when scoring his 7th try of the season. The powerful winger was nearly unstoppable. Venasio Takutokavanua on the other wing showed all his experience on defence and attack.

Mikey Wilson and Danno O’Connor have not been beaten as a combination yet this season and on Saturday they broke the line on several occasions. Their defence was also outstanding.

Morgan Shelver showed general ship in the way that he conducted play. His kicking out of hand in the 1st half was tactically superior and his flat playing running style got the team on the front foot.

Iain Currie, was a late replacement as scrumhalf, and he did an outstanding job of clearing the ball. He also sniped well on several occasions.

Chris Kennedy, captain and number 8, had his best game of the season and the match clinching last try was just reward. Al Lum’s work rate throughout the game was outstanding.

In the line-outs Ben Blair and Yohann Regnard reigned supreme. Regnard and Severiano Tabuaniwere was a hardworking and physically dominating lock pairing.

Andre Ormond, the hooker, fully deserved his man of the match reward. The USA South officials and players raved about his powerful play in the loose. He overturned 5 of the Panthers possession’s and was a constant threat with the ball in hand.

Next up for the RHSW Cayman team is the old foe, Bermuda in The Security Centre Big Game 7 on June 18  at 7 pm.

According to team manager Paul Parker the team wants to end their home games this season on an undefeated note in this game.

Caroline Deegan, administrative manager of the CRFU, mentioned that the tickets are fast selling out and that a repeat crowd of the 2,000 spectators against Bahamas, 2 weeks ago, is expected.

The try scorers for the Cayman side were Wight, O’Connor, Ormond and Kennedy. Shelver succeeded with 2 penalties and 1 conversion.

The Cayman team vs Panthers was:
15 Dave Accutt, 14 Justin Wight, 13 Mikey Wilson, 12 Danno O’Connor, 11 Venasio Tokatokavanu, 10 Morgan Shelver, 9 Iain Currie, 8 Chris Kennedy, 7 Ben Blair, 6 Al Lum, 5 Yohann Regnard, 4 Severiano Tabuaniwere, 3 Johny Gibson, 2 Andre Ormond, 1 Jordan Southway

Replacements: 16 Ben McDonald, 17 Peter de Vere, 18 Mat Dors, 19 James Macfee, 20 Philip Pretorius, 21 Ed Westin