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The Cayman Islands Rugby World Cup 2019 dream came to an end this afternoon, losing 34-24 away to Mexico. The result not only sees Mexico advancing but gives Las Serpientes the North Zone title.
Mexico is to now face South Zone winners Guyana in the Rugby Americas North Championship play-off. The Caribbean Final play-off will be played on July 23.
Getting to the final proved to be significantly simpler than in previous years. Mexico’s progression has been clear with the country now on its way to bigger and better things. Mexico’s 39-3 and 75-10 respective wins over the Bahamas and Bermuda were warm-ups for the final against the tougher Caymans.
Las Serpientes secured the result well before the end of the match. Having played the better rugby in the opening half Mexico succeeded in seeing-off the visitors. What was a comfortable lead was cut down as the Cayman Islands enjoyed a solid second half but were unable to catch the Mexicans.
The difficulty of the encounter was explained to Americas Rugby News by Cayman Heads Coach Phil Pretorius. “As a physical well prepared side we were gasping for air after 10 minutes, 8616 feet above sea level is no joke.”
“After trailing 7-27 at halftime we only conceded a charge down try from the halfway line in the second half and scored 17 points ourselves. One of the few occasions that Mexico were outscored in the second half in Mexico.”
MEXICO 34
Tries – G. Pons 2, F. Samano, C. Henning. L. Arredondo
Cons – A. Sánchez 3
Pens – A. Sánchez
CAYMAN ISLANDS 24
Tries – M. Wilson 2, P. Westin
Cons – S. McDermott 3
Pens – S. McDermott
MEXICO
1 Marcos Flegmann 2 Mizael Loredo 3 Max Douek (capt.) 4 Santiago Prieto 5 Roberto Calderón 6 José Reyes 7 Gonzalo Pons 8 Simón Pierre 9 Andrés Rodríguez 10 Miguel Carner 11 Alejandro Chávez 12 Christian Henning 13 Luis Arredondo 14 Fharid Samano 15 Agustín Sánchez
Replacements from: Jesús Rico, Erik Castillo, Santiago Leboreiro, Juan Pablo Andrade, Diego Ramírez, Victor Oliva, Pedro Morales, Alvaro López, Juan Pablo Martínez, Hugo Rodríguez
CAYMAN ISLANDS
1 Jordan Southway 2 Andre Ormond 3 Johnny Gibson 4 Severiano Tabuaniwere 5 Yohann Regnard 6 Al Lum 7 Paul Westin 8 Chris Kennedy (capt.) 9 Neil Montgomery 10 Morgan Shelver 11 Shaun McDermott 12 Danno O’Connor 13 Michael Wilson 14 Justin Wight 15 Ed Westin
Replacements: 16 Ben McDonald 17 Peter de Vere 18 Joey Westin 19 Mark Soto 20 Paul Smith 21 Ben Blair 22 Iain Currie 23 Mark Westin
