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Rugby Americas North (RAN) Men’s International competition for 2018 concludes this Saturday. The final fixture of the 2018 RAN Championship sees the USA South Panthers playing host to the Cayman Islands in Atlanta, Georgia.
On June 23 the Cayman Islands were to host Trinidad & Tobago only for that game to be cancelled due to Trinidad & Tobago pulling out. With there being no possibility of rescheduling the fixture it means the winner of the USA South Panthers vs Cayman Islands will secure the title.
The decision surrounding Trinidad & Tobago also saw the matches involving that country to be removed from the 2018 RAN Men’s Championship. All were removed from the standings.
It changes the landscape of Saturday’s match entirely. The USA South Panthers had fallen to a 34-33 loss against Trinidad & Tobago while Trinidad & Tobago also claimed a 27-24 win over Bermuda.
In Bermuda’s other matches they were beaten 48-28 by the USA South Panthers and pushed the Cayman Islands to the limit in falling to a 20-19 defeat. Combined the results all point to a victory in Atlanta for the USA South Panthers on Saturday.
The USA South Panthers and the Cayman Islands have a history of hotly-contested rugby. Of the five matches played between the teams over the years the USA South Panthers hold a 3-2 winning record.
USA SOUTH PANTHERS ROSTER
Alex Maughan, Amro Gouda, Austin Grant, Ben Foley, Ben Paul, Calvin Storey, Colby Townsend, David Coleman, Dontae Lawrence, Hein Erasmus (capt.), Jarrett Gartin, Jason Riekena, Joe Bambinelli, Keenan Kayser, Lucas Baistrocchi, Matt Fontana, Matt Hughston, Michael Martinez, Patrick Audino, Sam Trammel, Waymon Cassell, Zach Blalock, Zach Miller
Head Coach: Rene Daniel
CAYMAN ISLANDS ROSTER
Dan Florek, Conor Brady*, Jonny Gibson, Shane Cusack, Jeffrey Robinson, Barry John Goude*, Shane Westin, Chris Kennedy (capt.), Dave Stringer, Morgan Shelver, Darien Montague, Venasio Tokatokavanua, Mikey Wilson, Ian Smith, Killian Everard, Andy Hall, Jordan Southway, Pete DeVere, Dylan Bostock, Ben Blair, Cameron Bridgeman*, Phil Parker, Alex Pineau
Head Coach: Garry Southway
(* uncapped player)
Date: Saturday July 07
Kick-Off: 1:00pm (Eastern)
Venue: Old White Rugby Facility, Atlanta, Georgia
